Novel inhibitors of transforming growth factor kinase and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel inhibitors of TAK1 and methods of using such compounds to treat various diseases.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/401,733, filed Sep. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1, MAP3K7) is amember of the MAP3K family and plays a key role in the signalingpathways of inflammation and cell survival. TAK1 is activated by anumber of pro-inflammatory signals including TGFβ, TNFα, Toll-likereceptor ligands and IL-1, resulting in the induction of keyinflammatory and pro-survival genes such as NFκB and c-Jun-N-terminalkinases (JNKs). TAK1 inhibition induces death of cancer cells and thus,TAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for cancer andinflammatory diseases.

Prior screens by others for inhibitors of TAK1 identified the fungalmetabolite 5(Z)-7-oxozeanol. However, this molecule has selectivityissues such that it targets members of the MAP2K family. Medicinalchemistry groups used the chemical scaffold of 5(Z)-7-oxozeanol as alead molecule to generate more selective inhibitors of TAK1. Theirefforts identified additional molecules namely, LYTAK1, PF-04358168, andAZ-TAK1. None of these inhibitors have been advanced clinically, largelydue to selectivity issues in vivo.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, provided is a compound according to Formula (I):

-   -   or a stereoisomer or salt thereof;    -   wherein    -   X is NR₁ or S;    -   R₁ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl;    -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or amino; and    -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   wherein each C₁₋₄ alkyl may be independently substituted by        halo, hydroxy, or amino;    -   wherein if X is NR₁, R₁ is not propyl when R₃ is NH₂.

In an aspect, provided is a method of treating a disease modulated bytransforming growth factor β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of compound according to Formula (I):

-   -   or a stereoisomer or salt thereof;    -   wherein    -   X is NR₁ or S;    -   R₁ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ hydroxy alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, C₁₋₄        carboxyl, or C₁₋₄ aminoalkyl;    -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or amino;    -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen.

In an aspect, provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising acompound according to Formula (I) or a stereoisomer or salt thereof andpharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In another aspect are provided compounds of Formula (I), or a tautomeror salt thereof; wherein

-   -   X is NR₁ or S;    -   R₁ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl;    -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄        alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and    -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, and R₄ are        optionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂,        NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl);    -   wherein the compound of Formula (I) is not

Another aspect provides a method of treating a disease modulated bytransforming growth factor β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound according to Formula (I), or a tautomer or saltthereof, wherein

-   -   X is NR₁ or S;    -   R₁ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl;    -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄        alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and    -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, and R₄ are        optionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂,        NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl).

Another aspect provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising acompound according to Formula (I), or a tautomer or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,wherein

-   -   X is NR₁ or S;    -   R₁ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl;    -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄        alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and    -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, and R₄ are        optionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂,        NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl).

Other aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detaileddescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows TAK1 dependent signaling events following TNFα stimulation.

FIG. 2A-2C show (A) Inhibition of liver stage parasite load by screeningactives at 30 μM. Dash line indicates 50% inhibition. Data arenormalized to DMSO, vehicle control, and are shown as mean±SEM. (B)Dose-responses of screening actives performed in the ATP pull-downassay. The inset shows the full dose-response for compound 1. n=2biological experiments. (C) Chemical structures of hit compoundsexhibiting liver stage activity.

FIG. 3A-C show the effects of compound 1 on liver stage and cellviability assessment. (A) Dose-response experiments of liver stageinhibition of parasite load in HepG2 and Huh7 cells by compound 1. (B)Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the expression of P. berghei PK9transcripts at different time points post-infection in HepG2 cells. Dataare mean±SEM in transcript levels relative to sporozoites (0 hpost-infection), using Pb 18S rRNA and luc as reference genes. n=4independent experiments. Statistical analysis was performed usingone-way ANOVA (P<0.05) and Tukey's multiple comparison test. *P<0.05when compared to 4 hours post-infection. (C) Autophosphorylationactivity of recombinant PfPK9 is significantly reduced by compound 1(500 μM) and compound 5 (10, 500 μM). *P<0.01, **P<0.001 versus DMSOchallenged reaction. Abbreviation: spz, sporozoites; hpi, hourpost-infection.

FIG. 4A-E show that compound 1 treatment leads to increased EEF size.(A, B) (A) Size distribution and (B) percentage of P. b. EEFs in Huh7cells that were treated with DMSO or 10 μM compound 1 at different timepoints post-infection. (C, D) (C) Size distribution and (D) percentageof P. b. EEFs in Huh7 cells that were treated with DMSO or 30 μMcompound 1 at different time points post-infection. (E) Representativeimmunofluorescence images of P. b. EEFs in Huh7 cells treated with DMSO,10 μM or 30 μM compound 1 at various times post-infection. Labelling wasperformed with anti-HSP70 antibodies (green) and DAPI (blue). Image Jsoftware was used to determine the area of EEFs taken from images withthe same magnification (10×). Merged images are shown. Data arerepresented as mean±SEM. n=2 biological replicates. **P<0.01,***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001; one-way ANOVA with Dunn's multiple comparisonstest. Abbreviation: EEF, exo-erythrocytic form; hpi, hourpost-infection.

FIG. 5A-B shows K63-linked ubiquitination in Plasmodium parasitestreated with novel compounds. (A) Western blot of K63-linked ubiquitinin treated samples. Lane 1; DMSO, lane 2; 30 μM compound 5 and lane 3;30 μM compound 1. Some proteins appear to be unaffected while others aredramatically less ubiquitinated (K63-linked) in the presence of smallmolecule compounds, particularly compound 1. (B) Western blot ofK63-linked ubiquitin in Plasmodium parasite protein extracts treated indose-dependent concentrations of compound 1, ranging from 0.001 to 100μM. Further exploration of compound 1 effects on K63-linked ubiquitinrevealed several proteins at varying molecular weights exhibitingdose-dependent response, such as protein A, C and D. Others remainunaffected even at 100 μM, such as protein B.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of HS-206 and results of kinase inhibitionassay performed at MRC Dundee (shown are representatives of the 140kinases assayed).

FIG. 7 shows the sequence alignment from the activation loop of IRAK4,TAK1, PfPK9, and IRAK1. Shown is the alignment of the activation loop(TAK1: residues 178-190). Dark grey indicates high conservation, red boxhighlights activation loop.

FIG. 8 shows that HS-206 inhibits TNFα dependent signaling in MDA-MB-231and Hela cells.

FIG. 9 shows dose-dependent inhibition of JNK and NFκB signaling byHS-206 in Hela cells.

FIG. 10 shows results of NCI-60 Cell One-Dose Screen.

FIG. 11 shows that HS-206 inhibits cell proliferation in adose-dependent manner.

FIG. 12A shows dose-response curves for TAK1 inhibition. FIG. 12B showsTAK1 IC₅₀ values.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, provided are novel inhibitors of TAK1. TAK1 is anevolutionarily conserved member of the mitogen-activating kinase familyand is involved in pro survival signaling in several cancer types. TAK1requires interaction with TAK1 binding proteins 1,2,3 (TAB1-3) for itsfunctional activation. Stimulation of cancer cells with thepro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) leads toTAK1-dependent activation of NFκB, cJun, and p38 MAPK (FIG. 1). Theassembly of the TNF-Receptor 1 (TNFR1) complex leads to recruitment ofInhibitor of κB kinase (IKK). TAK1 phosphorylates IKK, which leads tophosphorylation of inhibitor of KB kinase (IκB) and allows translocationof NFκB to the nucleus and transcription of pro survival genes, such asIAP and Bcl-Xl. p38 MAPK signaling gets transiently activated after TNFαstimulation. TAK1 phosphorylates MKK3/4/6, which leads to p38 and cJunactivation and subsequent translocation to the nucleus to activatetranscription of pro survival genes.

Several studies demonstrated the critical role of TAK1 in survival inKRAS-driven colorectal cancer. RNAi knockdown studies have demonstratedthat TAK1 inhibition had the most potent and selective effect onviability in KRAS-dependent versus KRAS independent colorectal cancercell lines, demonstrating that differential treatment with a TAK1inhibitor could have beneficial outcomes. A similar therapeuticpotential for TAK1 inhibition was found in metastatic breast cancermodels, which are also confounded in knockdown studies as opposed topharmacological inhibition. In both in vitro and in vivo models,downregulation of TAK1 decreased transcription and activity of matrixproteolysis genes and demonstrated the role of TAK1 in angiogenesis andmetastasis.

Kinase inhibitors bind in various ways. Some kinase inhibitors targetthe structurally conserved ATP-binding pocket, which is called Type 1binding. Such molecules are designed to target the kinase in its activeconformation, which is innately challenging due to highly conserved andrigid nature of this conformation. The inactive conformation of kinasesis distinct for each kinase, which allows for higher specificity ofsmall molecule therapeutics. Due to the specific amino acids changingtheir special orientation, this conformation is called “DFG-out”, ortype 2 binding, which involves a rearrangement of the conservedtripeptide Mg²⁺-binding motif DFG that induces an allosteric bindingpocket. Recent structural-activity relationship studies identifiedstructural elements that could induce binding of kinases in the DFG-outconformation.

Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. In case of conflict, the present document, includingdefinitions, will control. Preferred methods and materials are describedbelow, although methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in practice or testing of the presentinvention. All publications, patent applications, patents and otherreferences mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety. The materials, methods, and examples disclosed herein areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The terms “comprise(s),” “include(s),” “having,” “has,” “can,”“contain(s),” and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to beopen-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that do not precludethe possibility of additional acts or structures. The singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The present disclosure also contemplates otherembodiments “comprising,” “consisting of” and “consisting essentiallyof,” the embodiments or elements presented herein, whether explicitlyset forth or not.

Section headings as used in this section and the entire disclosureherein are not intended to be limiting.

For the recitation of numeric ranges herein, each intervening numberthere between with the same degree of precision is explicitlycontemplated. For example, for the range 6-9, the numbers 7 and 8 arecontemplated in addition to 6 and 9, and for the range 6.0-7.0, thenumbers 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 and 7.0 areexplicitly contemplated.

The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive ofthe stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (forexample, it includes at least the degree of error associated with themeasurement of the particular quantity). The modifier “about” shouldalso be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolutevalues of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” The term “about” mayrefer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number. For example, “about10%” may indicate a range of 9% to 11%, and “about 1” may mean from0.9-1.1. Other meanings of “about” may be apparent from the context,such as rounding off, so, for example “about 1” may also mean from 0.5to 1.4.

The terms “administer”, “administering”, “administered” or“administration” refer to any manner of providing a compound or apharmaceutical composition (e.g., one described herein), to a subject orpatient. Routes of administration can be accomplished through any meansknown by those skilled in the art. Such means include, but are notlimited to, oral, buccal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,transdermal, by inhalation and the like.

“Contacting” as used herein, e.g., as in “contacting a sample” refers tocontacting a sample directly or indirectly in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo(i.e. within a subject as defined herein). Contacting a sample mayinclude addition of a compound to a sample (e.g., a sample comprisingcells that contain TAK1), or administration to a subject. Contactingencompasses administration to a solution, cell, tissue, mammal, subject,patient, or human. Further, contacting a cell includes adding an agentto a cell culture.

“Effective amount,” as used herein, refers to a dosage or an amount of acompound or a composition effective for eliciting a desired effect. Thisterm as used herein may also refer to an amount effective at bringingabout a desired in vivo effect in an animal, e.g., a mammal, e.g., ahuman. For example, in methods of treating cancer, an effective amountmay be an amount sufficient to treat the disorder.

“Member atom” as used herein refers to a polyvalent atom (e.g., a C, O,N, or S atom) in a chain or ring system that constitutes a part of thechain or ring. For example, in pyridine, five carbon atoms and onenitrogen atom are member atoms of the ring. In diethyl ether, fourcarbon atoms and one oxygen atom are member atoms of the chain. Memberatoms will be substituted up to their normal valence. For example, inpyridine, the five carbon atoms will each be further substituted with ahydrogen or another substituent.

As used herein, the term “subject” is intended to include human andnon-human animals. Exemplary human subjects include a human patienthaving a disorder, e.g., cancer, or a normal subject. The term“non-human animals” includes all vertebrates, e.g., non-mammals (such aschickens, amphibians, reptiles) and mammals, such as non-human primates,domesticated and/or agriculturally useful animals (such as sheep, dogs,cats, cows, pigs, etc.), and rodents (such as mice, rats, hamsters,guinea pigs, etc.).

As used herein, the term “treat” or “treating” a subject having adisorder refers to administering a compound or a composition describedherein to the subject, such that at least one symptom of the disorder iscured, healed, alleviated, relieved, altered, remedied, ameliorated, orimproved. Treating includes administering an amount effective toalleviate, relieve, alter, remedy, ameliorate, cure, improve or affectthe disorder or the symptoms of the disorder. The treatment may inhibitdeterioration or worsening of a symptom of a disorder.

Definitions of specific functional groups and chemical terms aredescribed in more detail below. For purposes of this disclosure, thechemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Tableof the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75thEd., inside cover, and specific functional groups are generally definedas described therein. Additionally, general principles of organicchemistry, as well as specific functional moieties and reactivity, aredescribed in Organic Chemistry, Thomas Sorrell, University ScienceBooks, Sausalito, 1999; Smith and March March's Advanced OrganicChemistry, 5th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2001; Larock,Comprehensive Organic Transformations, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York,1989; Carruthers, Some Modern Methods of Organic Synthesis, 3rd Edition,Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1987; the entire contents of eachof which are incorporated herein by reference.

The term “alkyl” refers to a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbonchain. Alkyl groups may include a specified number of carbon atoms. Forexample, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl indicates that the alkyl group may have 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 carbon atoms. An alkyl group may be,e.g., a C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, a C₁-C₈ alkyl group, aC₁-C₆ alkyl group or a C₁-C₄ alkyl group. For example, exemplary C₁-C₄alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec-butyl, isobutyl and tert-butyl groups. An alkyl group may beoptionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The term “alkylenyl” refers to a divalent alkyl group, examples of whichinclude but are not limited to —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂— and—CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂—. An alkylenyl group may be optionally substituted withone or more substituents.

The term “alkenyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chainhaving one or more double bonds. Alkenyl groups may include a specifiednumber of carbon atoms. For example, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl indicates that thealkenyl group may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 carbonatoms. An alkenyl group may be, e.g., a C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₁₀alkenyl group, a C₂-C₈ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₂-C₄alkenyl group. Examples of alkenyl groups include but are not limited toallyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-hexenyl and 3-octenyl groups. One of thedouble bond carbons may optionally be the point of attachment of thealkenyl substituent. An alkenyl group may be optionally substituted withone or more substituents.

The term “alkenylenyl” refers to a divalent alkenyl group, examples ofwhich include but are not limited to —CH═CH—, —CH═CH—CH₂—,—CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂— and —CH₂—CH═CH—CH₂—. An alkenylenyl group may beoptionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The term “alkynyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chainhaving one or more triple bonds. Alkynyl groups may include a specifiednumber of carbon atoms. For example, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl indicates that thealkynyl group may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 carbonatoms. An alkynyl group may be, e.g., a C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl group, a C₂-C₁₀alkynyl group, a C₂-C₈ alkynyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkynyl group or a C₂-C₄alkynyl group. Examples of alkynyl groups include but are not limited toethynyl, propargyl, and 3-hexynyl. One of the triple bond carbons mayoptionally be the point of attachment of the alkynyl substituent. Analkynyl group may be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents.

The term “alkynylenyl” refers to a divalent alkynyl group, examples ofwhich include but are not limited to —C≡C—, —C≡C—CH₂—, —C≡C—CH₂—CH₂— and—CH₂—C≡C—CH₂—. An alkynylenyl group may be optionally substituted withone or more substituents.

The term “amino” as used herein refers to —NR_(N1)R_(N2) wherein R_(N1)and R_(N2) independently may be H, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl.

The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclichydrocarbon ring system, wherein any ring atom capable of substitutioncan be substituted (e.g., with one or more substituents). Examples ofaryl moieties include but are not limited to phenyl, naphthyl, andanthracenyl. Aryl groups may be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents.

The term “arylalkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety in which at least onealkyl hydrogen atom is replaced with an aryl group. Arylalkyl includesgroups in which more than one hydrogen atom has been replaced with anaryl group. Examples of arylalkyl groups include but are not limited tobenzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 9-fluorenyl, benzhydryl, andtrityl groups. Arylalkyl groups may be optionally substituted with oneor more substituents, on either the aryl moiety or the alkyl moiety.

The term “carbonyl” as used herein refers to a —C(O)R group, wherein Ris alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or amino. The term “C₁₋₄ carbonyl” refers to agroup that may be preceded by an alkyl group of up to 3 carbon atoms. Itmay also be called an “alkylcarbonyl”. Examples of C₁₋₄ carbonyl include—C(O)R, —CH₂C(O)R, —CH₂CH₂C(O)R, and —CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)R.

The term “carboxyl” as used herein refers to a —OC(O)R group, wherein Ris alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or amino. The term “C₁₋₄ carboxyl” refers to agroup that may be preceded by an alkyl group of up to 3 carbon atoms. Itmay also be called an “alkylcarboxyl”. Examples of C₁₋₄ carbonyl include—OC(O)R, —CH₂OC(O)R, —CH₂CH₂OC(O)R, and —CH₂CH₂CH₂OC(O)R.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to non-aromatic, saturatedor partially unsaturated cyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or polycyclichydrocarbon groups having 3 to 12 carbons. Any ring atom can besubstituted (e.g., with one or more substituents). Cycloalkyl groups cancontain fused rings. Fused rings are rings that share one or more commoncarbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include but are not limitedto cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl,cyclohexadienyl, methylcyclohexyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, norbornenyl,tetrahydronaphthalenyl and dihydroindenyl. Cycloalkyl groups may beoptionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The term “cycloalkylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group inwhich at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with a cycloalkyl group.Cycloalkylalkyl groups include those in which more than one hydrogenatom of the alkyl group is replaced with a cycloalkyl group. Examples ofcycloalkylalkyl groups include but are not limited to cyclohexylmethyl,cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl and cyclopropylmethyl.Cycloalkylalkyl groups can be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents, on either the cycloalkyl moiety or the alkyl moiety.

The term “halo” or “halogen” as used herein refers to any radical offluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The term “haloalkyl” as used herein refers to an alkyl group as definedherein, in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced with halogenatoms, and includes alkyl moieties in which all hydrogens have beenreplaced with halogens (e.g., perfluoroalkyl such as CF₃).

“Heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group as definedherein, wherein at least one carbon atom of the alkyl group is replacedwith a heteroatom. Heteroalkyl groups may contain from 1 to 18non-hydrogen atoms (carbon and heteroatoms) in the chain, or 1 to 12atoms, or 1 to 6 atoms, or 1 to 4 atoms. Heteroalkyl groups may bestraight or branched, and saturated or unsaturated. Unsaturatedheteroalkyl groups have one or more double bonds and/or one or moretriple bonds. Heteroalkyl groups may be unsubstituted or substituted.Exemplary heteroalkyl groups include but are not limited to alkoxyalkyl(e.g., methoxymethyl), and aminoalkyl (e.g., alkylaminoalkyl anddialkylaminoalkyl). Heteroalkyl groups may be optionally substitutedwith one or more substituents.

The term “heteralkylenyl” refers to a divalent heteroalkyl group,examples of which include but are not limited to —CH₂OCH₂—, —CH₂NHCH₂—,polyethyleneglycol groups (e.g., —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—), polyethyleneiminegroups (e.g., —(CH₂CH₂NH)_(n)—), and the like. A heteroalkylenyl groupmay be optionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein refers to an aromatic 5-8 memberedmonocyclic, 8-12 membered bicyclic, or 11-14 membered tricyclic ringsystem having 1-3 heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-6 heteroatoms ifbicyclic, or 1-9 heteroatoms if tricyclic, said heteroatomsindependently selected from O, N, S, P and Si (e.g., carbon atoms and1-3, 1-6, or 1-9 heteroatoms independently selected from O, N, S, P andSi if monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic, respectively). Any ring atomcan be substituted (e.g., with one or more substituents). Heteroarylgroups can contain fused rings, which are rings that share one or morecommon atoms. Examples of heteroaryl groups include but are not limitedto radicals of pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrrole,imidazole, pyrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, furan, thiazole, isothiazole,thiophene, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline,indole, isoindole, indolizine, indazole, benzimidazole, phthalazine,pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine,phenanthroline, phenazine, naphthyridines and purines. Heteroaryl groupsmay be optionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety in which at leastone alkyl hydrogen atom is replaced with a heteroaryl group.Heteroarylalkyl includes groups in which more than one hydrogen atom hasbeen replaced with a heteroaryl group. Examples of heteroarylalkylgroups include but are not limited to imidazolylmethyl (e.g.,1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl and 1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl), pyridinylmethyl(e.g., pyridin-3-ylmethyl and pyridin-4-ylmethyl), pyrimidinylmethyl(e.g., pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl), furylmethyl (e.g., fur-2-ylmethyl andfur-3-ylmethyl), and thienylmethyl (e.g., thien-2-ylmethyl andthien-3-ylmethyl) groups. Heteroarylalkyl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents, on either the heteroarylmoiety or the alkyl moiety.

The term “heteroatom”, as used herein, refers to a non-carbon orhydrogen atom such as a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, silicon or phosphorusatom. Groups containing more than one heteroatom may contain differentheteroatoms.

The term “heterocyclyl”, as used herein, refers to a nonaromatic,saturated or partially unsaturated 3-10 membered monocyclic, 8-12membered bicyclic, or 11-14 membered tricyclic ring system having 1-3heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-6 heteroatoms if bicyclic, or 1-9heteroatoms if tricyclic, said heteroatoms selected from O, N, S, Si andP (e.g., carbon atoms and 1-3, 1-6, or 1-9 heteroatoms of O, N, S, Siand P if monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic, respectively). Any ringatom can be substituted (e.g., with one or more substituents).Heterocyclyl groups can contain fused rings, which are rings that shareone or more common atoms. Examples of heterocyclyl groups include butare not limited to radicals of tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene,tetrahydropyran, oxetane, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, pyrroline,pyrimidine, pyrrolidine, indoline, tetrahydropyridine, dihydropyran,thianthrene, pyran, benzopyran, xanthene, phenoxathiin, phenothiazine,furazan, lactones, lactams such as azetidinones and pyrrolidinones,sultams, sultones, and the like. Heterocyclyl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents.

The term “heterocyclylalkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety in which at leastone alkyl hydrogen atom is replaced with a heterocyclyl group.Heterocyclylalkyl includes groups in which more than one hydrogen atomhas been replaced with a heterocyclyl group. Examples ofheterocyclylalkyl groups include but are not limited to oxetanylmethyl,morpholinomethyl, and pyrrolidinylmethyl groups, and the like.Heterocyclylalkyl groups may be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents, on either the heterocyclyl moiety or the alkyl moiety.

The term “hydroxy” refers to an —OH radical. The term “alkoxy” refers toan —O-alkyl radical. The term “aryloxy” refers to an —O-aryl radical.

The term “oxo” refers to an oxygen atom, which forms a carbonyl whenattached to carbon, an N-oxide when attached to nitrogen, and asulfoxide or sulfone when attached to sulfur (i.e. ═O).

The term “mercapto” or “thiol” refers to an —SH radical. The term“thioalkoxy” or “thioether” refers to an —S-alkyl radical. The term“thioaryloxy” refers to an —S-aryl radical.

The term “substituents” refers to a group “substituted” on an alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylor heteroarylalkyl group at any atom of that group. Any atom can besubstituted. Suitable substituents include, without limitation: acyl,acylamido, acyloxy, alkoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amido, amino,carboxy, cyano, ester, halo, hydroxy, imino, nitro, oxo (e.g., C═O),phosphonate, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, sulfonate, sulfonamino, sulfonamido,thioamido, thiol, thioxo (e.g., C═S), and ureido. In embodiments,substituents on a group are independently any one single, or anycombination of the aforementioned substituents. In embodiments, asubstituent may itself be substituted with any one of the abovesubstituents.

The above substituents may be abbreviated herein. For example, theabbreviations Me, Et, Ph and Bn represent methyl, ethyl, phenyl andbenzyl, respectively. A more comprehensive list of standardabbreviations used by organic chemists appears in a table entitledStandard List of Abbreviations of the Journal of Organic Chemistry. Theabbreviations contained in said list are hereby incorporated byreference.

For compounds described herein, groups and substituents thereof may beselected in accordance with permitted valence of the atoms and thesubstituents, and such that the selections and substitutions result in astable compound, e.g., a compound that does not spontaneously undergotransformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc.

Where substituent groups are specified by their conventional chemicalformulae, written from left to right, they optionally encompasssubstituents resulting from writing the structure from right to left,e.g., —CH₂O— optionally also recites —OCH₂—.

In accordance with a convention used in the art, the group:

is used in structural formulae herein to depict the bond that is thepoint of attachment of the moiety or substituent to the core or backbonestructure.

Compounds

In an aspect, the present invention provides a compound according toFormula (I):

or a stereoisomer or salt thereof;wherein X is NR₁ or S;R₁ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl;R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or amino; andR₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen; andwherein each C₁₋₄ alkyl may be independently substituted by halo,hydroxy, or amino.

In an embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is not

In an embodiment, if X is NR₁, R₁ is not propyl when R₃ is NH₂.

In an embodiment, R₂ is H, —OCH₃, or Br. In an embodiment, R₃ is —NH₂,—OH, —OCH₃, —NHCH₃, or —NHCH₂CH₃. In an embodiment, X is NR₁, wherein R₁is H, methyl, or propyl. In an embodiment, X is S.

In an embodiment, the compound may be a compound of Formula (I):

wherein

Compound X R₂ R₃ R₄ 1 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 2 —N(H)— —H —NH₂ —H 3—N(CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 4 —N(CH₂CH═CHCH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 5 —N(CH₂CH(CH₃)₂)— —H—NH₂ —H 6 —N(CH₂CH₂OH)— —H —NH₂ —H 7 —N(CH₂CO₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 8—N(CH₂C(O)Ph)- —H —NH₂ —H 9 —N(CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 10—N(CH₂CONH₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 11 —S— —H —NH₂ —H 12 —S— —OCH₃ —NH₂ —H 13 —S——Br —NH₂ —H 14 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 15 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 16—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H 17 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₂CH₃ —H 18—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —CH₃ 19 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —OCH₃ 20—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —Cl 21 —S— —H —OH —H 22 —S— —Br —OH —H 23 —S——OCH₃ —OCH₃ —H

In an embodiment, the compound may be a compound of Formula (I) selectedfrom:

Compound X R₂ R₃ R₄ 2 —N(H)— —H —NH₂ —H 3 —N(CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 4—N(CH₂CH═CHCH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 5 —N(CH₂CH(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 6—N(CH₂CH₂OH)— —H —NH₂ —H 7 —N(CH₂CO₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 8 —N(CH₂C(O)Ph)- —H—NH₂ —H 9 —N(CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 10 —N(CH₂CONH₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 11—S— —H —NH₂ —H 12 —S— —OCH₃ —NH₂ —H 13 —S— —Br —NH₂ —H 14 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)——H —OH —H 15 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 16 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H17 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₂CH₃ —H 18 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —CH₃ 19—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —OCH₃ 20 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —Cl 21 —S— —H—OH —H 22 —S— —Br —OH —H 23 —S— —OCH₃ —OCH₃ —H 24 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃—H 25 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 26 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 27 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H—NHCH₃ —H 28 —N(CH₂(CH₂)₄NH₂)— —H —OCH₃ —H 29 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂4-Br 30 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ 5-Bror a tautomer thereof.

Certain compounds may exist in one or more particular geometric,optical, enantiomeric, diastereomeric, epimeric, atropic, stereoisomer,tautomeric, conformational, or anomeric forms, including but not limitedto, cis- and trans-forms; E- and Z-forms; c-, t-, and r-forms; endo- andexo-forms; R-, S-, and meso-forms; D- and L-forms; d- and 1-forms; (+)and (−) forms; keto-, enol-, and enolate-forms; syn- and anti-forms;synclinal- and anticlinal-forms; α- and β-forms; axial and equatorialforms; boat-, chair-, twist-, envelope-, and half chair-forms; andcombinations thereof, hereinafter collectively referred to as “isomers”(or “isomeric forms”).

In one embodiment, a compound described herein may be anenantiomerically enriched isomer of a stereoisomer described herein. Forexample, the compound may have an enantiomeric excess of at least about10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%. Enantiomer, when used herein,refers to either of a pair of chemical compounds whose molecularstructures have a mirror-image relationship to each other.

In one embodiment, a preparation of a compound disclosed herein isenriched for an isomer of the compound having a selectedstereochemistry, e.g., R or S, corresponding to a selected stereocenter.For example, the compound has a purity corresponding to a compoundhaving a selected stereochemistry of a selected stereocenter of at leastabout 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%.

In one embodiment, a composition described herein includes a preparationof a compound disclosed herein that is enriched for a structure orstructures having a selected stereochemistry, e.g., R or S, at aselected stereocenter. Exemplary R/S configurations can be thoseprovided in an example described herein.

An “enriched preparation,” as used herein, is enriched for a selectedstereoconfiguration of one, two, three or more selected stereocenterswithin the subject compound. Exemplary selected stereocenters andexemplary stereoconfigurations thereof can be selected from thoseprovided herein, e.g., in an example described herein. By enriched ismeant at least 60%, e.g., of the molecules of compound in thepreparation have a selected stereochemistry of a selected stereocenter.In an embodiment it is at least 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%,97%, 98%, or 99%. Enriched refers to the level of a subject molecule(s)and does not connote a process limitation unless specified.

Compounds may be prepared in racemic form or as individual enantiomersor diastereomers by either stereospecific synthesis or by resolution.The compounds may, for example, be resolved into their componentenantiomers or diastereomers by standard techniques, such as theformation of stereoisomeric pairs by salt formation with an opticallyactive base, followed by fractional crystallization and regeneration ofthe free acid. The compounds may also be resolved by formation ofstereoisomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic separationand removal of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the compounds may beresolved using a chiral HPLC column. The enantiomers also may beobtained from kinetic resolution of the racemate of corresponding estersusing lipase enzymes.

Except as discussed below for tautomeric forms, specifically excludedfrom the term “isomers,” as used herein, are structural (orconstitutional) isomers (i.e., isomers which differ in the connectionsbetween atoms rather than merely by the position of atoms in space). Forexample, a reference to a methoxy group, —OCH₃, is not to be construedas a reference to its structural isomer, a hydroxymethyl group, —CH₂OH.Similarly, a reference to ortho-chlorophenyl is not to be construed as areference to its structural isomer, meta-chlorophenyl. However, areference to a class of structures may well include structurallyisomeric forms falling within that class (e.g., C₃-alkyl or propylincludes n-propyl and iso-propyl; C₄-alkyl or butyl includes n-, iso-,sec-, and tert-butyl; methoxyphenyl includes ortho-, meta-, andpara-methoxyphenyl).

The above exclusion does not pertain to tautomeric forms, for example,keto-, enol-, and enolate-forms, as in, for example, the followingtautomeric pairs: keto/enol, imine/enamine, amide/imino alcohol,amidine/amidine, nitroso/oxime, thioketone/enethiol,N-nitroso/hydroxyazo, and nitro/aci-nitro.

Compounds of Formula (I) include either tautomeric form:

for example

Note that specifically included in the term “isomer” are compounds withone or more isotopic substitutions. Examples of isotopes suitable forinclusion in the compounds of the invention are hydrogen, carbon,nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, fluorine, and chlorine, such as,but not limited to ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F,and ³⁶Cl, respectively. Substitution with heavier isotopes such asdeuterium, i.e. ²H, can afford certain therapeutic advantages resultingfrom greater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivohalf-life or reduced dosage requirements and, hence, may be preferred insome circumstances. The compound may incorporate positron-emittingisotopes for medical imaging and positron-emitting tomography (PET)studies for determining the distribution of receptors. Suitablepositron-emitting isotopes that can be incorporated in compounds offormula (I) are ¹¹C, ¹³N, ¹⁵O, and ¹⁸F. Isotopically-labeled compoundsof formula (I) can generally be prepared by conventional techniquesknown to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to thosedescribed in the accompanying Examples using appropriateisotopically-labeled reagent in place of non-isotopically-labeledreagent. In some embodiments, in compounds of formula (I), any hydrogenatom may be deuterium.

A compound described herein can be in the form of a salt, e.g., apharmaceutically acceptable salt. The term “pharmaceutically acceptablesalt” includes salts of the active compounds that are prepared withrelatively nontoxic acids or bases, depending on the particularsubstituents found on the compounds described herein. Neutral forms ofthe compounds may be regenerated by contacting the salt with a base oracid and isolating the parent compound in a conventional manner. Theparent form of the compound differs from the various salt forms incertain physical properties, such as solubility in polar solvents, butotherwise the salts are equivalent to the parent form of the compoundfor the purposes of this disclosure. Examples of pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts are discussed in Berge et al, 1977, “PharmaceuticallyAcceptable Salts.” J. Pharm. Sci. Vol. 66, pp. 1-19.

For example, if the compound is anionic, or has a functional group whichmay be anionic (e.g., —COOH may be —COO⁻), then a salt may be formedwith a suitable cation. Examples of suitable inorganic cations include,but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na⁺ and K⁺, alkalineearth cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and other cations. Examples ofsuitable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion(i.e., NH₄ ⁺) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g., NH₃R₁ ⁺, NH₂R₂ ⁺,NHR₃ ⁺, NR₄ ⁺). Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions arethose derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine,triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine,diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline,meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine andarginine.

If the compound is cationic, or has a functional group that may becationic (e.g., —NH₂ may be —NH₃ ⁺), then a salt may be formed with asuitable anion. Examples of suitable inorganic anions include, but arenot limited to, those derived from the following inorganic acids:hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric, sulfurous, nitric,nitrous, phosphoric, and phosphorous.

Examples of suitable organic anions include, but are not limited to,those derived from the following organic acids: 2-acetyoxybenzoic,acetic, ascorbic, aspartic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, cinnamic, citric,edetic, ethanedisulfonic, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluchep tonic,gluconic, glutamic, glycolic, hydroxymaleic, hydroxynaphthalenecarboxylic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, lauric, maleic, malic,methanesulfonic, mucic, oleic, oxalic, palmitic, pamoic, pantothenic,phenylacetic, phenylsulfonic, propionic, pyruvic, salicylic, stearic,succinic, sulfanilic, tartaric, toluenesulfonic, and valeric. Examplesof suitable polymeric organic anions include, but are not limited to,those derived from the following polymeric acids: tannic acid,carboxymethyl cellulose.

Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a particular compound alsoincludes salt forms thereof.

It may be convenient or desirable to prepare, purify, and/or handle anactive compound in a chemically protected form. The term “chemicallyprotected form” is used herein in the conventional chemical sense andpertains to a compound in which one or more reactive functional groupsare protected from undesirable chemical reactions under specifiedconditions (e.g., pH, temperature, radiation, solvent, and the like). Inpractice, well known chemical methods are employed to reversibly renderunreactive a functional group, which otherwise would be reactive, underspecified conditions. In a chemically protected form, one or morereactive functional groups are in the form of a protected or protectinggroup (also known as a masked or masking group or a blocked or blockinggroup). By protecting a reactive functional group, reactions involvingother unprotected reactive functional groups can be performed, withoutaffecting the protected group; the protecting group may be removed,usually in a subsequent step, without substantially affecting theremainder of the molecule. See, for example, Protective Groups inOrganic Synthesis (T. Green and P. Wuts; 3rd Edition; John Wiley andSons, 1999). Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a particularcompound also includes chemically protected forms thereof.

A wide variety of such “protecting,” “blocking,” or “masking” methodsare widely used and well known in organic synthesis. For example, acompound which has two nonequivalent reactive functional groups, both ofwhich would be reactive under specified conditions, may be derivatizedto render one of the functional groups “protected,” and thereforeunreactive, under the specified conditions; so protected, the compoundmay be used as a reactant which has effectively only one reactivefunctional group. After the desired reaction (involving the otherfunctional group) is complete, the protected group may be “deprotected”to return it to its original functionality.

A hydroxy group may be protected as an ether (—OR) or an ester(—OC(O)R), for example, as: a t-butyl ether; a benzyl, benzhydryl(diphenylmethyl), or trityl (triphenylmethyl) ether; a trimethylsilyl ort-butyldimethylsilyl ether; or an acetyl ester (—OC(O)CH₃, —OAc).

An aldehyde or ketone group may be protected as an acetal (RCH(OR)₂) orketal (R₂C(OR)₂), respectively, in which the carbonyl group (R₂C═O) isconverted to a diether (R₂C(OR)₂), by reaction with, for example, aprimary alcohol. The aldehyde or ketone group is readily regenerated byhydrolysis using a large excess of water in the presence of acid.

An amine group may be protected, for example, as an amide (—NRC(O)R) ora urethane (—NRC(O)OR), for example, as: a methyl amide (—NHC(O)CH₃); abenzyloxy amide (—NHC(O)OCH₂C₆H₅, —NH-Cbz); as a t-butoxy amide(—NHC(O)OC(CH₃)₃, —NH-Boc); a 2-biphenyl-2-propoxy amide(—NHCO(O)C(CH₃)₂C₆H₄C₆H₅, —NH-Bpoc), as a 9-fluorenylmethoxy amide(—NH-Fmoc), as a 6-nitroveratryloxy amide (—NH-Nvoc), as a2-trimethylsilylethyloxy amide (—NH-Teoc), as a 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxyamide (—NH-Troc), as an allyloxy amide (—NH-Alloc), as a2(-phenylsulphonyl)ethyloxy amide (—NH-Psec); or, in suitable cases(e.g., cyclic amines), as a nitroxide radical (>N-0«).

A carboxylic acid group may be protected as an ester, for example, as:an alkyl ester (e.g., a methyl ester; a t-butyl ester); a haloalkylester (e.g., a haloalkyl ester); a trialkylsilylalkyl ester; or anarylalkyl ester (e.g., a benzyl ester; a nitrobenzyl ester); or as anamide, for example, as a methyl amide.

A thiol group may be protected as a thioether (—SR), for example, as: abenzyl thioether; an acetamidomethyl ether (—S—CH₂NHC(O)CH₃)

In addition to salt forms, the present disclosure may also providecompounds that are in a prodrug form. Prodrugs of the compoundsdescribed herein are those compounds that readily undergo chemicalchanges under physiological conditions to provide the compoundsdescribed herein. Prodrugs can be converted to the compounds of thepresent disclosure by chemical or biochemical methods in an ex vivoenvironment. For example, prodrugs can be slowly converted to thecompounds of the present disclosure when placed in a transdermal patchreservoir with a suitable enzyme or chemical reagent.

A compound described herein can also be modified by appendingappropriate functionalities to enhance selective biological properties.Such modifications are known in the art and include those that increasebiological penetration into a given biological system (e.g., blood,lymphatic system, central nervous system), increase oral availability,increase solubility to allow administration by injection, altermetabolism, and/or alter rate of excretion. Examples of thesemodifications include, but are not limited to, esterification withpolyethylene glycols, derivatization with pivolates or fatty acidsubstituents, conversion to carbamates, hydroxylation of aromatic rings,and heteroatom substitution in aromatic rings.

a. Synthesis of Compounds

Compounds described herein may be prepared according to a variety ofmethods. A representative synthesis of exemplary compounds of formula(I) is illustrated in Scheme 1.

The compounds and intermediates may be isolated and purified by methodswell-known to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis. Examples ofconventional methods for isolating and purifying compounds can include,but are not limited to, chromatography on solid supports such as silicagel, alumina, or silica derivatized with alkylsilane groups, byrecrystallization at high or low temperature with an optionalpretreatment with activated carbon, thin-layer chromatography,distillation at various pressures, sublimation under vacuum, andtrituration, as described for instance in “Vogel's Textbook of PracticalOrganic Chemistry,” 5th edition (1989), by Furniss, Hannaford, Smith,and Tatchell, pub. Longman Scientific & Technical, Essex CM20 2JE,England.

A disclosed compound may have at least one basic nitrogen whereby thecompound can be treated with an acid to form a desired salt. Forexample, a compound may be reacted with an acid at or above roomtemperature to provide the desired salt, which is deposited, andcollected by filtration after cooling. Examples of acids suitable forthe reaction include, but are not limited to tartaric acid, lactic acid,succinic acid, as well as mandelic, atrolactic, methanesulfonic,ethanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, naphthalenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic,carbonic, fumaric, maleic, gluconic, acetic, propionic, salicylic,hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, sulfuric, citric, hydroxybutyric,camphorsulfonic, malic, phenylacetic, aspartic, or glutamic acid, andthe like.

Reaction conditions and reaction times for each individual step can varydepending on the particular reactants employed and substituents presentin the reactants used. Specific procedures are provided in the Examplessection. Reactions can be worked up in the conventional manner, e.g. byeliminating the solvent from the residue and further purified accordingto methodologies generally known in the art such as, but not limited to,crystallization, distillation, extraction, trituration andchromatography. Unless otherwise described, the starting materials andreagents are either commercially available or can be prepared by oneskilled in the art from commercially available materials using methodsdescribed in the chemical literature. Starting materials, if notcommercially available, can be prepared by procedures selected fromstandard organic chemical techniques, techniques that are analogous tothe synthesis of known, structurally similar compounds, or techniquesthat are analogous to the above described schemes or the proceduresdescribed in the synthetic examples section.

Routine experimentations, including appropriate manipulation of thereaction conditions, reagents and sequence of the synthetic route,protection of any chemical functionality that cannot be compatible withthe reaction conditions, and deprotection at a suitable point in thereaction sequence of the method are included in the scope of theinvention. Suitable protecting groups and the methods for protecting anddeprotecting different substituents using such suitable protectinggroups are well known to those skilled in the art; examples of which canbe found in PGM Wuts and TW Greene, in Greene's book titled ProtectiveGroups in Organic Synthesis (4^(th) ed.), John Wiley & Sons, NY (2006),which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Synthesis ofthe compounds of the invention can be accomplished by methods analogousto those described in the synthetic schemes described hereinabove and inspecific examples.

When an optically active form of a disclosed compound is required, itcan be obtained by carrying out one of the procedures described hereinusing an optically active starting material (prepared, for example, byasymmetric induction of a suitable reaction step), or by resolution of amixture of the stereoisomers of the compound or intermediates using astandard procedure (such as chromatographic separation,recrystallization or enzymatic resolution).

Similarly, when a pure geometric isomer of a compound is required, itcan be obtained by carrying out one of the above procedures using a puregeometric isomer as a starting material, or by resolution of a mixtureof the geometric isomers of the compound or intermediates using astandard procedure such as chromatographic separation.

As can be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further methods ofsynthesizing the compounds of the formulae herein will be evident tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the various syntheticsteps may be performed in an alternate sequence or order to give thedesired compounds. Synthetic chemistry transformations and protectinggroup methodologies (protection and deprotection) useful in synthesizingthe compounds described herein are known in the art and include, forexample, those such as described in R. Larock, Comprehensive OrganicTransformations, VCH Publishers (1989); T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts,Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2d. Ed., John Wiley and Sons(1991); L. Fieser and M. Fieser, Fieser and Fieser's Reagents forOrganic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1994); and L. Paquette, ed.,Encyclopedia of Reagents or Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons(1995), and subsequent editions thereof.

b. Evaluation of Compounds

Compounds can be evaluated by determining their ability to inhibit TAK1.

Compounds can be screened for kinase inhibition using a panel of 140mammalian kinases at the International Center for Kinase Profiling,Dundee. This panel contains members of all major kinase families,including tyrosine kinases (TK), tyrosine kinase-like (TKL), sterileserine/threonine (STE), and CDK/MAPK/GSK/CLK (CMGC). The strongestkinase inhibition was found for TAK1 (STE/TKL family), IRAK4 (TKL),IRAK1 (TKL), CLK2 (CMGC), GCK (STE), and MINK1 (STE), indicating thatmembers of several kinase families were targeted.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The disclosed compounds may be incorporated into pharmaceuticalcompositions suitable for administration to a subject (such as apatient, which may be a human or non-human).

In one aspect, provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising acompound according to Formula (I), or a tautomer or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;

-   -   wherein    -   X is NR₁ or S;    -   R₁ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl;    -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄        alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and    -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen;    -   wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, and R₄ are        optionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂,        NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl).

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a compoundof Formula (I), as described herein, or a tautomer or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof. In another embodiment, the pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises

or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The pharmaceutical compositions may include a “therapeutically effectiveamount” or a “prophylactically effective amount” of the agent. A“therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, atdosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desiredtherapeutic result. A therapeutically effective amount of thecomposition may be determined by a person skilled in the art and mayvary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, andweight of the individual, and the ability of the composition to elicit adesired response in the individual. A therapeutically effective amountis also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of a compound ofthe invention (e.g., a compound of formula (I)) are outweighed by thetherapeutically beneficial effects. A “prophylactically effectiveamount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods oftime necessary, to achieve the desired prophylactic result. Typically,since a prophylactic dose is used in subjects prior to or at an earlierstage of disease, the prophylactically effective amount will be lessthan the therapeutically effective amount.

For example, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula(I), may be about 1 mg/kg to about 1000 mg/kg, about 5 mg/kg to about950 mg/kg, about 10 mg/kg to about 900 mg/kg, about 15 mg/kg to about850 mg/kg, about 20 mg/kg to about 800 mg/kg, about 25 mg/kg to about750 mg/kg, about 30 mg/kg to about 700 mg/kg, about 35 mg/kg to about650 mg/kg, about 40 mg/kg to about 600 mg/kg, about 45 mg/kg to about550 mg/kg, about 50 mg/kg to about 500 mg/kg, about 55 mg/kg to about450 mg/kg, about 60 mg/kg to about 400 mg/kg, about 65 mg/kg to about350 mg/kg, about 70 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg, about 75 mg/kg to about250 mg/kg, about 80 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg, about 85 mg/kg to about150 mg/kg, and about 90 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg.

The pharmaceutical compositions may include pharmaceutically acceptablecarriers. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,” as usedherein, means a non-toxic, inert solid, semi-solid or liquid filler,diluent, encapsulating material or formulation auxiliary of any type.Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers are sugars such as, but not limited to, lactose,glucose and sucrose; starches such as, but not limited to, corn starchand potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as, but notlimited to, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose andcellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipientssuch as, but not limited to, cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oilssuch as, but not limited to, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil,sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols; such aspropylene glycol; esters such as, but not limited to, ethyl oleate andethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as, but not limited to,magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-freewater; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphatebuffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants suchas, but not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, aswell as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening,flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can alsobe present in the composition, according to the judgment of theformulator.

Thus, the compounds and their physiologically acceptable salts may beformulated for administration by, for example, solid dosing, eyedrop, ina topical oil-based formulation, injection, inhalation (either throughthe mouth or the nose), implants, or oral, buccal, parenteral, or rectaladministration. Techniques and formulations may generally be found in“Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” (Meade Publishing Co., Easton,Pa.). Therapeutic compositions must typically be sterile and stableunder the conditions of manufacture and storage.

The route by which the disclosed compounds are administered and the formof the composition will dictate the type of carrier to be used. Thecomposition may be in a variety of forms, suitable, for example, forsystemic administration (e.g., oral, rectal, nasal, sublingual, buccal,implants, or parenteral) or topical administration (e.g., dermal,pulmonary, nasal, aural, ocular, liposome delivery systems, oriontophoresis).

Carriers for systemic administration typically include at least one ofdiluents, lubricants, binders, disintegrants, colorants, flavors,sweeteners, antioxidants, preservatives, glidants, solvents, suspendingagents, wetting agents, surfactants, combinations thereof, and others.All carriers are optional in the compositions.

Suitable diluents include sugars such as glucose, lactose, dextrose, andsucrose; diols such as propylene glycol; calcium carbonate; sodiumcarbonate; sugar alcohols, such as glycerin; mannitol; and sorbitol. Theamount of diluent(s) in a systemic or topical composition is typicallyabout 50 to about 90%.

Suitable lubricants include silica, talc, stearic acid and its magnesiumsalts and calcium salts, calcium sulfate; and liquid lubricants such aspolyethylene glycol and vegetable oils such as peanut oil, cottonseedoil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and oil of theobroma. The amount oflubricant(s) in a systemic or topical composition is typically about 5to about 10%.

Suitable binders include polyvinyl pyrrolidone; magnesium aluminumsilicate; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; gelatin;tragacanth; and cellulose and its derivatives, such as sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, methylcellulose,microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Theamount of binder(s) in a systemic composition is typically about 5 toabout 50%.

Suitable disintegrants include agar, alginic acid and the sodium saltthereof, effervescent mixtures, croscarmelose, crospovidone, sodiumcarboxymethyl starch, sodium starch glycolate, clays, and ion exchangeresins. The amount of disintegrant(s) in a systemic or topicalcomposition is typically about 0.1 to about 10%.

Suitable colorants include a colorant such as an FD&C dye. When used,the amount of colorant in a systemic or topical composition is typicallyabout 0.005 to about 0.1%.

Suitable flavors include menthol, peppermint, and fruit flavors. Theamount of flavor(s), when used, in a systemic or topical composition istypically about 0.1 to about 1.0%.

Suitable sweeteners include aspartame and saccharin. The amount ofsweetener(s) in a systemic or topical composition is typically about0.001 to about 1%.

Suitable antioxidants include butylated hydroxyanisole (“BHA”),butylated hydroxytoluene (“BHT”), and vitamin E. The amount ofantioxidant(s) in a systemic or topical composition is typically about0.1 to about 5%.

Suitable preservatives include benzalkonium chloride, methyl paraben andsodium benzoate. The amount of preservative(s) in a systemic or topicalcomposition is typically about 0.01 to about 5%.

Suitable glidants include silicon dioxide. The amount of glidant(s) in asystemic or topical composition is typically about 1 to about 5%.

Suitable solvents include water, isotonic saline, ethyl oleate,glycerine, hydroxylated castor oils, alcohols such as ethanol, andphosphate buffer solutions. The amount of solvent(s) in a systemic ortopical composition is typically from about 0 to about 100%.

Suitable suspending agents include AVICEL RC-591 (from FMC Corporationof Philadelphia, Pa.) and sodium alginate. The amount of suspendingagent(s) in a systemic or topical composition is typically about 1 toabout 8%.

Suitable surfactants include lecithin, Polysorbate 80, and sodium laurylsulfate, and the TWEENS from Atlas Powder Company of Wilmington, Del.Suitable surfactants include those disclosed in the C.T.F.A. CosmeticIngredient Handbook, 1992, pp. 587-592; Remington's PharmaceuticalSciences, 15th Ed. 1975, pp. 335-337; and McCutcheon's Volume 1,Emulsifiers & Detergents, 1994, North American Edition, pp. 236-239. Theamount of surfactant(s) in the systemic or topical composition istypically about 0.1% to about 5%.

Although the amounts of components in the systemic compositions may varydepending on the type of systemic composition prepared, in general,systemic compositions include 0.01% to 50% of an active compound (e.g.,a compound of formula (I)) and 50% to 99.99% of one or more carriers.Compositions for parenteral administration typically include 0.1% to 10%of actives and 90% to 99.9% of a carrier including a diluent and asolvent.

Compositions for oral administration can have various dosage forms. Forexample, solid forms include tablets, capsules, granules, and bulkpowders. These oral dosage forms include a safe and effective amount,usually at least about 5%, and more particularly from about 25% to about50% of actives. The oral dosage compositions include about 50% to about95% of carriers, and more particularly, from about 50% to about 75%.

Tablets can be compressed, tablet triturates, enteric-coated,sugar-coated, film-coated, or multiple-compressed. Tablets typicallyinclude an active component, and a carrier comprising ingredientsselected from diluents, lubricants, binders, disintegrants, colorants,flavors, sweeteners, glidants, and combinations thereof. Specificdiluents include calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, mannitol, lactoseand cellulose. Specific binders include starch, gelatin, and sucrose.Specific disintegrants include alginic acid and croscarmelose. Specificlubricants include magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and talc. Specificcolorants are the FD&C dyes, which can be added for appearance. Chewabletablets preferably contain sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin,or flavors such as menthol, peppermint, fruit flavors, or a combinationthereof.

Capsules (including implants, time release and sustained releaseformulations) typically include an active compound (e.g., a compound offormula (I)), and a carrier including one or more diluents disclosedabove in a capsule comprising gelatin. Granules typically comprise adisclosed compound, and preferably glidants such as silicon dioxide toimprove flow characteristics. Implants can be of the biodegradable orthe non-biodegradable type.

The selection of ingredients in the carrier for oral compositionsdepends on secondary considerations like taste, cost, and shelfstability, which are not critical for the purposes of this invention.

Solid compositions may be coated by conventional methods, typically withpH or time-dependent coatings, such that a disclosed compound isreleased in the gastrointestinal tract in the vicinity of the desiredapplication, or at various points and times to extend the desiredaction. The coatings typically include one or more components selectedfrom the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinylacetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, ethylcellulose, EUDRAGIT® coatings (available from Evonik Industries ofEssen, Germany), waxes and shellac.

Compositions for oral administration can have liquid forms. For example,suitable liquid forms include aqueous solutions, emulsions, suspensions,solutions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules, suspensionsreconstituted from non-effervescent granules, effervescent preparationsreconstituted from effervescent granules, elixirs, tinctures, syrups,and the like. Liquid orally administered compositions typically includea disclosed compound and a carrier, namely, a carrier selected fromdiluents, colorants, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, solvents,suspending agents, and surfactants. Peroral liquid compositionspreferably include one or more ingredients selected from colorants,flavors, and sweeteners.

Other compositions useful for attaining systemic delivery of the subjectcompounds include sublingual, buccal and nasal dosage forms. Suchcompositions typically include one or more of soluble filler substancessuch as diluents including sucrose, sorbitol and mannitol; and binderssuch as acacia, microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, andhydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Such compositions may further includelubricants, colorants, flavors, sweeteners, antioxidants, and glidants.

The disclosed compounds can be topically administered. Topicalcompositions that can be applied locally to the skin may be in any formincluding solids, solutions, oils, creams, ointments, gels, lotions,shampoos, leave-on and rinse-out hair conditioners, milks, cleansers,moisturizers, sprays, skin patches, and the like. Topical compositionsinclude: a disclosed compound (e.g., a compound of formula (I)), and acarrier. The carrier of the topical composition preferably aidspenetration of the compounds into the skin. The carrier may furtherinclude one or more optional components.

The amount of the carrier employed in conjunction with a disclosedcompound is sufficient to provide a practical quantity of compositionfor administration per unit dose of the compound. Techniques andcompositions for making dosage forms useful in the methods of thisinvention are described in the following references: ModernPharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10, Banker & Rhodes, eds. (1979);Lieberman et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (1981); andAnsel, Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 2nd Ed., (1976).

A carrier may include a single ingredient or a combination of two ormore ingredients. In the topical compositions, the carrier includes atopical carrier. Suitable topical carriers include one or moreingredients selected from phosphate buffered saline, isotonic water,deionized water, monofunctional alcohols, symmetrical alcohols, aloevera gel, allantoin, glycerin, vitamin A and E oils, mineral oil,propylene glycol, PPG-2 myristyl propionate, dimethyl isosorbide, castoroil, combinations thereof, and the like. More particularly, carriers forskin applications include propylene glycol, dimethyl isosorbide, andwater, and even more particularly, phosphate buffered saline, isotonicwater, deionized water, monofunctional alcohols, and symmetricalalcohols.

The carrier of a topical composition may further include one or moreingredients selected from emollients, propellants, solvents, humectants,thickeners, powders, fragrances, pigments, and preservatives, all ofwhich are optional.

Suitable emollients include stearyl alcohol, glyceryl monoricinoleate,glyceryl monostearate, propane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3-diol, mink oil,cetyl alcohol, isopropyl isostearate, stearic acid, isobutyl palmitate,isocetyl stearate, oleyl alcohol, isopropyl laurate, hexyl laurate,decyl oleate, octadecan-2-ol, isocetyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate,di-n-butyl sebacate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropylstearate, butyl stearate, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,lanolin, sesame oil, coconut oil, arachis oil, castor oil, acetylatedlanolin alcohols, petroleum, mineral oil, butyl myristate, isostearicacid, palmitic acid, isopropyl linoleate, lauryl lactate, myristyllactate, decyl oleate, myristyl myristate, and combinations thereof.Specific emollients for skin include stearyl alcohol andpolydimethylsiloxane. The amount of emollient(s) in a skin-based topicalcomposition is typically about 5% to about 95%.

Suitable propellants include propane, butane, isobutane, dimethyl ether,carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and combinations thereof. The amount ofpropellant(s) in a topical composition is typically about 0% to about95%.

Suitable solvents include water, ethyl alcohol, methylene chloride,isopropanol, castor oil, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether,dimethylsulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, tetrahydrofuran, and combinationsthereof. Specific solvents include ethyl alcohol and homotopic alcohols.The amount of solvent(s) in a topical composition is typically about 0%to about 95%.

Suitable humectants include glycerin, sorbitol, sodium2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate, soluble collagen, dibutyl phthalate,gelatin, and combinations thereof. Specific humectants include glycerin.The amount of humectant(s) in a topical composition is typically 0% to95%.

The amount of thickener(s) in a topical composition is typically about0% to about 95%.

Suitable powders include beta-cyclodextrins, hydroxypropylcyclodextrins, chalk, talc, fullers earth, kaolin, starch, gums,colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium polyacrylate, tetra alkyl ammoniumsmectites, trialkyl aryl ammonium smectites, chemically-modifiedmagnesium aluminum silicate, organically-modified Montmorillonite clay,hydrated aluminum silicate, fumed silica, carboxyvinyl polymer, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, ethylene glycol monostearate, and combinationsthereof. The amount of powder(s) in a topical composition is typically0% to 95%.

The amount of fragrance in a topical composition is typically about 0%to about 0.5%, particularly, about 0.001% to about 0.1%.

Suitable pH adjusting additives include HCl or NaOH in amountssufficient to adjust the pH of a topical pharmaceutical composition.

It will be appreciated that appropriate dosages of the compounds, andcompositions comprising the compounds, can vary from patient to patient.Determining the optimal dosage will generally involve the balancing ofthe level of therapeutic benefit against any risk or deleterious sideeffects of the treatments of the present invention. The selected dosagelevel will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to,the activity of the particular compound, the route of administration,the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the compound, theduration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials usedin combination, and the age, sex, weight, condition, general health, andprior medical history of the patient. The amount of compound and routeof administration will ultimately be at the discretion of the physician,although generally the dosage will be to achieve local concentrations atthe site of action which achieve the desired effect without causingsubstantial harmful or deleterious side-effects.

Administration in vivo can be effected in one dose, continuously orintermittently (e.g., in divided doses at appropriate intervals)throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the mosteffective means and dosage of administration are well known to those ofskill in the art and will vary with the formulation used for therapy,the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated, and thesubject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carriedout with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treatingphysician. In general, a suitable dose of the compound is in the rangeof about 100 μg to about 250 mg per kilogram body weight of the subjectper day.

The composition may be administered once, on a continuous basis (e.g. byan intravenous drip), or on a periodic/intermittent basis, includingabout once per hour, about once per two hours, about once per fourhours, about once per eight hours, about once per twelve hours, aboutonce per day, about once per two days, about once per three days, abouttwice per week, about once per week, and about once per month. Thecomposition may be administered until a desired reduction of symptoms isachieved.

Methods of Use

Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compounds andcompositions to treat or prevent disorders associated with TAK1activity.

In one aspect, disclosed is a method of inhibiting TAK1, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In another aspect, disclosed is a method of inhibiting tumor growth,comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.

In an aspect, disclosed is a method of treating inflammatory conditionsand autoimmune conditions comprising administering to a subject in needthereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I),or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In an aspect, disclosed is a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis,diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease,malaria, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or psoriasis comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In another aspect, disclosed is a method of treating or preventingcancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds and compositionsdescribed herein can be used to treat a subject having any type ofcancer, for example those described by the National Cancer Institute.The cancer can be a carcinoma, a sarcoma, a myeloma, a leukemia, alymphoma or a mixed type. Exemplary cancers described by the NationalCancer Institute include but are not limited to:digestive/gastrointestinal cancers such as anal cancer; bile ductcancer; extrahepatic bile duct cancer; appendix cancer; carcinoid tumor,gastrointestinal cancer; colon cancer; colorectal cancer includingchildhood colorectal cancer; esophageal cancer including childhoodesophageal cancer; gallbladder cancer; gastric (stomach) cancerincluding childhood gastric (stomach) cancer; hepatocellular (liver)cancer including adult (primary) hepatocellular (liver) cancer andchildhood (primary) hepatocellular (liver) cancer; pancreatic cancerincluding childhood pancreatic cancer; sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma; isletcell pancreatic cancer; rectal cancer; and small intestine cancer;endocrine cancers such as islet cell carcinoma (endocrine pancreas);adrenocortical carcinoma including childhood adrenocortical carcinoma;gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor; parathyroid cancer; pheochromocytoma;pituitary tumor; thyroid cancer including childhood thyroid cancer;childhood multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome; and childhood carcinoidtumor; eye cancers such as intraocular melanoma; and retinoblastoma;musculoskeletal cancers such as Ewing's family of tumors;osteosarcoma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the bone; childhoodrhabdomyosarcoma; soft tissue sarcoma including adult and childhood softtissue sarcoma; clear cell sarcoma of tendon sheaths; and uterinesarcoma; breast cancer such as breast cancer including childhood andmale breast cancer and breast cancer in pregnancy; neurologic cancerssuch as childhood brain stemglioma; brain tumor; childhood cerebellarastrocytoma; childhood cerebral astrocytoma/malignant glioma; childhoodependymoma; childhood medulloblastoma; childhood pineal andsupratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors; childhood visualpathway and hypothalamic glioma; other childhood brain cancers;adrenocortical carcinoma; central nervous system lymphoma, primary;childhood cerebellar astrocytoma; neuroblastoma; craniopharyngioma;spinal cord tumors; central nervous system atypical teratoid/rhabdoidtumor; central nervous system embryonal tumors; and childhoodsupratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors and pituitary tumor;genitourinary cancers such as bladder cancer including childhood bladdercancer; renal cell (kidney) cancer; ovarian cancer including childhoodovarian cancer; ovarian epithelial cancer; ovarian low malignantpotential tumor; penile cancer; prostate cancer; renal cell cancerincluding childhood renal cell cancer; renal pelvis and ureter,transitional cell cancer; testicular cancer; urethral cancer; vaginalcancer; vulvar cancer; cervical cancer; Wilms tumor and other childhoodkidney tumors; endometrial cancer; and gestational trophoblastic tumor;Germ cell cancers such as childhood extracranial germ cell tumor;extragonadal germ cell tumor; ovarian germ cell tumor; head and neckcancers such as lip and oral cavity cancer; oral cancer includingchildhood oral cancer (e.g., oral squamous cell carcinoma);hypopharyngeal cancer; laryngeal cancer including childhood laryngealcancer; metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary; mouthcancer; nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer; nasopharyngeal cancerincluding childhood nasopharyngeal cancer; oropharyngeal cancer;parathyroid cancer; pharyngeal cancer; salivary gland cancer includingchildhood salivary gland cancer; throat cancer; and thyroid cancer;Hematologic/blood cell cancers such as a leukemia (e.g., acutelymphoblastic leukemia including adult and childhood acute lymphoblasticleukemia; acute myeloid leukemia including adult and childhood acutemyeloid leukemia; chronic lymphocytic leukemia such as B Cell chroniclymphocytic leukemia; chronic myelogenous leukemia; and hairy cellleukemia); a lymphoma (e.g., AIDS-related lymphoma; cutaneous T-celllymphoma; Hodgkin's lymphoma including adult and childhood Hodgkin'slymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma during pregnancy; non-Hodgkin's lymphomaincluding adult and childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin'slymphoma during pregnancy; mycosis fungoides; Sezary syndrome;Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; primary mediastinal large B celllymphoma; mantle cell lymphoma; diffuse large B cell lymphoma; andprimary central nervous system lymphoma); and other hematologic cancers(e.g., chronic myeloproliferative disorders; multiple myeloma/plasmacell neoplasm; myelodysplastic syndromes; andmyelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disorders); lung cancer such asnon-small cell lung cancer; and small cell lung cancer; respiratorycancers such as adult malignant mesothelioma; childhood malignantmesothelioma; malignant thymoma; childhood thymoma; thymic carcinoma;bronchial adenomas/carcinoids including childhood bronchialadenomas/carcinoids; pleuropulmonary blastoma; non-small cell lungcancer; and small cell lung cancer; skin cancers such as Kaposi'ssarcoma; Merkel cell carcinoma; melanoma; and childhood skin cancer;AIDS-related malignancies; other childhood cancers, unusual cancers ofchildhood and cancers of unknown primary site; and metastases of theaforementioned cancers can also be treated or prevented in accordancewith the methods described herein.

In another aspect, disclosed is a method of treating or preventingbreast cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, neurofibrodomas, ornon-small cell lung cancer or a combination thereof, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

Combination Therapies

The present compounds, compositions, and methods may be administered aspart of a therapeutic regimen along with other treatments appropriatefor the particular injury or disease being treated.

In one aspect, the disclosed compounds can be used in combination withone or more other drugs in the treatment, prevention, control,amelioration, or reduction of risk of diseases or conditions for whichdisclosed compounds or the other drugs can have utility, where thecombination of the drugs together are safer or more effective thaneither drug alone. Such other drug(s) can be administered, by a routeand in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously orsequentially with a compound of the present disclosure. When a compoundof the present disclosure is used contemporaneously with one or moreother drugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form containingsuch other drugs and a disclosed compound is preferred. However, thecombination therapy can also include therapies in which a disclosedcompound and one or more other drugs are administered on differentoverlapping schedules. It is also contemplated that when used incombination with one or more other active ingredients, the disclosedcompounds and the other active ingredients can be used in lower dosesthan when each is used singly.

Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions include those that containone or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of thepresent disclosure.

The above combinations include combinations of a disclosed compound notonly with one other active compound, but also with two or more otheractive compounds. Likewise, disclosed compounds can be used incombination with other drugs that are used in the prevention, treatment,control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases orconditions for which disclosed compounds are useful. Such other drugscan be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor,contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the presentdisclosure. When a compound of the present disclosure is usedcontemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing such other drugs in addition to a disclosedcompound is preferred. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositionsinclude those that also contain one or more other active ingredients, inaddition to a compound of the present disclosure.

The weight ratio of a disclosed compound to the second active ingredientcan be varied and will depend upon the effective dose of eachingredient. Generally, an effective dose of each will be used. Thus, forexample, when a compound of the present disclosure is combined withanother agent, the weight ratio of a disclosed compound to the otheragent will generally range from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000, preferablyabout 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of a compound of the presentdisclosure and other active ingredients will generally also be withinthe aforementioned range, but in each case, an effective dose of eachactive ingredient should be used.

In such combinations disclosed compounds and other active agents can beadministered separately or in conjunction. In addition, theadministration of one element can be prior to, concurrent to, orsubsequent to the administration of other agent(s).

Accordingly, the disclosed compounds can be used alone or in combinationwith other agents which are known to be beneficial in the subjectindications or other drugs that affect receptors or enzymes that eitherincrease the efficacy, safety, convenience, or reduce unwanted sideeffects or toxicity of the disclosed compounds. The subject compound andthe other agent can be coadministered, either in concomitant therapy orin a fixed combination.

In certain embodiments, the disclosed compounds and compositions can beused in combination with an additional pharmaceutical agent or dosageform. The disclosed compounds and compositions may be administered aspart of a regimen additionally including any other pharmaceutical agentand/or pharmaceutical dosage form (e.g., an additional active agent thatis effective for the treatment of a cancer, malignancy, or proliferativedisorder). An additional pharmaceutically active ingredient oradditional pharmaceutical dosage form can be administered to a patienteither directly or indirectly, and concomitantly or sequentially, withthe compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In certain embodiments,the disclosed compounds and compositions can be used in combination withone or more Hsp90 inhibitors (e.g.,2-(((1r,4r)-4-hydroxycyclohexyl)amino)-4-(3,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indazol-1-yl)benzamide)or one or more Hsp70 inhibitors.

In certain embodiments, the disclosed compounds and compositions can beused in combination with an anti-cancer/chemotherapeutic agent.Exemplary agents include, but are not limited to, alkylating agents(including, without limitation, nitrogen mustards, ethyleniminederivatives, alkyl sulfonates, nitrosoureas and triazenes): uracilmustard (Aminouracil Mustard®, Chlorethaminacil®, Demethyldopan®,Desmethyldopan®, Haemanthamine®, Nordopan®, Uracil nitrogen Mustard®,Uracillost®, Uracilmostaza®, Uramustin®, Uramustine®), bendamustine(Treakisym®, Ribomustin®, Treanda®) chlormethine (Mustargen®),cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®, Clafen®, Endoxan®, Procytox®,Revimmune™) ifosfamide (Mitoxana®), melphalan (Alkeran®), Chlorambucil(Leukeran®), pipobroman (Amedel®, Vercyte®), triethylenemelamine(Hemel®, Hexylen®, Hexastat®), triethylenethiophosphoramine,Temozolomide (Temodar®), thiotepa (Thioplex®), busulfan (Busilvex®,Myleran®), carmustine (BiCNU®), lomustine (CeeNU®), streptozocin(Zanosar®), estramustine (Emcyt®, Estracit®), fotemustine, irofulven,mannosulfan, mitobronitol, nimustine, procarbazine, ranimustine,semustine, triaziquone, treosulfan, and Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome®);anti-EGFR antibodies (e.g., cetuximab (Erbitux®), panitumumab(Vectibix®), and gefitinib (Iressa®)); anti-Her-2 antibodies (e.g.,trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and other antibodies from Genentech);antimetabolites (including, without limitation, folic acid antagonists(also referred to herein as antifolates), pyrimidine analogs, purineanalogs and adenosine deaminase inhibitors): methotrexate (Rheumatrex®,Trexall®), 5-fluorouracil (Adrucil®, Efudex®, Fluoroplex®), floxuridine(FUDF®), carmofur, cytarabine (Cytosar-U®, Tarabine PFS),6-mercaptopurine (Puri-Nethol®)), 6-thioguanine (Thioguanine Tabloid®),fludarabine phosphate (Fludara®), pentostatin (Nipent®), pemetrexed(Alimta®), raltitrexed (Tomudex®), cladribine (Leustatin®), clofarabine(Clofarex®, Clolar®), mercaptopurine (Puri-Nethol®), capecitabine(Xeloda®), nelarabine (Arranon®), azacitidine (Vidaza®), decitabine(Dacogen®), enocitabine (Sunrabin®), sapacitabine, tegafur-uracil,tiazofurine, tioguanine, trofosfamide, and gemcitabine (Gemzar®); vincaalkaloids: vinblastine (Velban®, Velsar®), vincristine (Vincasar®,Oncovin®), vindesine (Eldisine®), vinorelbine (Navelbine®), vinflunine(Javlor®); platinum-based agents: carboplatin (Paraplat®, Paraplatin®),cisplatin (Platinol®), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®), nedaplatin, satraplatin,triplatin; anthracyclines: daunorubicin (Cerubidine®, Rubidomycin®),doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), epirubicin (Ellence®), idarubicin(Idamycin®), mitoxantrone (Novantrone®), valrubicin (Valstar®),aclarubicin, amrubicin, liposomal doxorubicin, liposomal daunorubicin,pirarubicin, pixantrone, zorubicin; topoisomerase inhibitors: topotecan(Hycamtin®), irinotecan (Camptosar®), etoposide (Toposar®, VePesid®),teniposide (Vumon®), lamellarin D, SN-38, camptothecin (e.g., IT-101),belotecan, rubitecan; taxanes: paclitaxel (Taxol®), docetaxel(Taxotere®), larotaxel, cabazitaxel, ortataxel, tesetaxel; antibiotics:actinomycin (Cosmegen®), bleomycin (Blenoxane®), hydroxyurea (Droxia®,Hydrea®), mitomycin (Mitozytrex®, Mutamycin®); immunomodulators:lenalidomide (Revlimid®), thalidomide (Thalomid®); immune cellantibodies: alemtuzamab (Campath®), gemtuzumab (Myelotarg®), rituximab(Rituxan®), tositumomab (Bexxar®); interferons (e.g., IFN-alpha(Alferon®, Roferon-A®, Intron®-A) or IFN-gamma (Actimmune®));interleukins: IL-1, IL-2 (Proleukin®), IL-24, IL-6 (Sigosix®), IL-12;HSP90 inhibitors (e.g., geldanamycin,17-alkylamino-17-desmethoxygeldanamycin (“17-AAG”) or17-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amino-17-desmethoxygeldanamycin (“17-DMAG”);anti-androgens which include, without limitation nilutamide (Nilandron®)and bicalutamide (Casodex®); antiestrogens which include, withoutlimitation tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), toremifene (Fareston®), letrozole(Femara®), testolactone (Teslac®), anastrozole (Arimidex®), bicalutamide(Casodex®), exemestane (Aromasin®), flutamide (Eulexin®), fulvestrant(Faslodex®), raloxifene (Evista®, Keoxifene®) and raloxifenehydrochloride; anti-hypercalcaemia agents which include withoutlimitation gallium (III) nitrate hydrate (Ganite®) and pamidronatedisodium (Aredia®); apoptosis inducers which include without limitationethanol, 2-[[3-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)propyl]amino]-(9Cl), gambogic acid,elesclomol, embelin and arsenic trioxide (Trisenox®); Aurora kinaseinhibitors which include without limitation binucleine 2; Bruton'styrosine kinase inhibitors which include without limitation terreicacid; calcineurin inhibitors which include without limitationcypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate and tyrphostin 8; CaM kinase IIinhibitors which include without limitation 5-Isoquinolinesulfonic acid,4-[{2S)-2-[(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)methylamino]-3-oxo-3-{4-phenyl-1-pipe-razinyl)propyl]phenylester and benzenesulfonamide; CD45 tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors whichinclude without limitation phosphonic acid; CDC25 phosphatase inhibitorswhich include without limitation 1,4-naphthalene dione,2,3-bis[(2-hydroxyethyl)thio]-(9Cl); CHK kinase inhibitors which includewithout limitation debromohymenialdisine; cyclooxygenase inhibitorswhich include without limitation 1H-indole-3-acetamide,1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-(9Cl), 5-alkylsubstituted 2-arylaminophenylacetic acid and its derivatives (e.g.,celecoxib (Celebrex®), rofecoxib (Vioxx®), etoricoxib (Arcoxia®),lumiracoxib (Prexige®), valdecoxib (Bextra®) or5-alkyl-2-arylaminophenylacetic acid); cRAF kinase inhibitors whichinclude without limitation3-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-5-iodo-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one andbenzamide,3-(dimethylamino)-N-[3-[(4-hydroxybenzoyl)amino]-4-methylphenyl]-(9Cl);cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors which include without limitationolomoucine and its derivatives, purvalanol B, roascovitine(Seliciclib®), indirubin, kenpaullone, purvalanol A andindirubin-3′-monooxime; cysteine protease inhibitors which includewithout limitation 4-morpholinecarboxamide,N-[(1S)-3-fluoro-2-oxo-1-(2-phenylethyl)propyl]amino]-2-oxo-1-(phenylmeth-yl)ethyl]-(9Cl);DNA intercalators which include without limitation plicamycin(Mithracin®) and daptomycin (Cubicin®); DNA strand breakers whichinclude without limitation bleomycin (Blenoxane®); E3 ligase inhibitorswhich include without limitationN-((3,3,3-trifluoro-2-trifluoromethyl)propionyl)sulfanilamide; EGFPathway Inhibitors which include, without limitation tyrphostin 46,EKB-569, erlotinib (Tarceva®), gefitinib (Iressa®), lapatinib (Tykerb®)and those compounds that are generically and specifically disclosed inWO 97/02266, EP 0 564 409, WO 99/03854, EP 0 520 722, EP 0 566 226, EP 0787 722, EP 0 837 063, U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,498, WO 98/10767, WO97/30034, WO 97/49688, WO 97/38983 and WO 96/33980; farnesyltransferaseinhibitors which include without limitation a-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonicacid, butanoic acid,2-[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2R)-2-amino-3-mercaptopropyl]amino]-3-methylpent-yl]oxy]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl]amino]-4-(methylsulfonyl)-1-methylethylester(2S)-(9Cl), tipifarnib (Zarnestra®), and manumycin A; Flk-1 kinaseinhibitors which include without limitation 2-propenamide,2-cyano-3-[4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-N-(3-phenylpropyl)-(2E-)-(9Cl);glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors which include withoutlimitation indirubin-3′-monooxime; histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitorswhich include without limitation suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA),[4-(2-amino-phenylcarbamoyl)-benzyl]-carbamic acidpyridine-3-ylmethylester and its derivatives, butyric acid, pyroxamide,trichostatin A, oxamflatin, apicidin, depsipeptide, depudecin, trapoxin,vorinostat (Zolinza®), and compounds disclosed in WO 02/22577; I-kappaB-alpha kinase inhibitors (IKK) which include without limitation2-propenenitrile, 3-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-(2E)-(9Cl);imidazotetrazinones which include without limitation temozolomide(Methazolastone®, Temodar® and its derivatives (e.g., as disclosedgenerically and specifically in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,291) andMitozolomide; insulin tyrosine kinase inhibitors which include withoutlimitation hydroxyl-2-naphthalenylmethylphosphonic acid;c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors which include withoutlimitation pyrazoleanthrone and epigallocatechin gallate;mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP) inhibitors which include withoutlimitation benzenesulfonamide,N-[2-[[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-propenyl]methyl]amino]methyl]phenyl]-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methoxy-(9Cl);MDM2 inhibitors which include without limitation trans-4-iodo,4′-boranyl-chalcone; MEK inhibitors which include without limitationbutanedinitrile, bis[amino[2-aminophenyl)thio]methylene]-(9Cl); MMPinhibitors which include without limitation Actinonin, epigallocatechingallate, collagen peptidomimetic and non-peptidomimetic inhibitors,tetracycline derivatives marimastat (Marimastat®), prinomastat,incyclinide (Metastat®), shark cartilage extract AE-941 (Neovastat®),Tanomastat, TAA211, MMI270B or AAJ996; mTor inhibitors which includewithout limitation rapamycin (Rapamune®), and analogs and derivativesthereof, AP23573 (also known as ridaforolimus, deforolimus, or MK-8669),CCI-779 (also known as temsirolimus) (Torisel®) and SDZ-RAD; NGFRtyrosine kinase inhibitors which include without limitation tyrphostinAG 879; p38 MAP kinase inhibitors which include without limitationPhenol, 4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-(9Cl),and benzamide,3-(dimethylamino)-N-[3-[(4-hydroxylbenzoyl)amino]-4-methylphenyl]-(9Cl);p56 tyrosine kinase inhibitors which include without limitationdamnacanthal and tyrphostin 46; PDGF pathway inhibitors which includewithout limitation tyrphostin AG 1296, tyrphostin 9,1,3-butadiene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile, 2-amino-4-(1H-indol-5-yl)-(9Cl),imatinib (Gleevec®) and gefitinib (Iressa®) and those compoundsgenerically and specifically disclosed in European Patent No.: 0 564 409and PCT Publication No.: WO 99/03854; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinaseinhibitors which include without limitation wortmannin, and quercetindehydrate; phosphatase inhibitors which include without limitationcantharidic acid, cantharidin, and L-leucinamide; protein phosphataseinhibitors which include without limitation cantharidic acid,cantharidin, L-P-bromotetramisole oxalate, 2(5H)-furanone,4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-(1-oxohexadecyl)-(5R)-(9Cl) andbenzylphosphonic acid; PKC inhibitors which include without limitation1-H-pyrollo-2,5-dione,3-[1-3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-(9Cl),Bi sindolylmaleimide IX, Sphinogosine, staurosporine, and Hypericin; PKCdelta kinase inhibitors which include without limitation rottlerin;polyamine synthesis inhibitors which include without limitation DMFO;PTP1B inhibitors which include without limitation L-leucinamide; proteintyrosine kinase inhibitors which include, without limitation tyrphostinAg 216, tyrphostin Ag 1288, tyrphostin Ag 1295, geldanamycin, genisteinand 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as generically andspecifically described in PCT Publication No.: WO 03/013541 and U.S.Publication No.: 2008/0139587; SRC family tyrosine kinase inhibitorswhich include without limitation PP1 and PP2; Syk tyrosine kinaseinhibitors which include without limitation piceatannol; Janus (JAK-2and/or JAK-3) tyrosine kinase inhibitors which include withoutlimitation tyrphostin AG 490 and 2-naphthyl vinyl ketone; retinoidswhich include without limitation isotretinoin (Accutane®, Amnesteem®,Cistane®, Claravis®, Sotret®) and tretinoin (Aberel®, Aknoten®, Avita®,Renova®, Retin-A®, Retin-A MICRO®, Vesanoid®); RNA polymerase IIelongation inhibitors which include without limitation5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole; serine/Threoninekinase inhibitors which include without limitation 2-aminopurine; sterolbiosynthesis inhibitors which include without limitation squaleneepoxidase and CYP2D6; VEGF pathway inhibitors, which include withoutlimitation anti-VEGF antibodies, e.g., bevacizumab, and small molecules,e.g., sunitinib (Sutent®), sorafinib (Nexavar®), ZD6474 (also known asvandetanib) (Zactima™), SU6668, CP-547632 and AZD2171 (also known ascediranib) (Recentin™).

Examples of chemotherapeutic agents are also described in the scientificand patent literature, see, e.g., Bulinski (1997) J. Cell Sci.110:3055-3064; Panda (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:10560-10564;Muhlradt (1997) Cancer Res. 57:3344-3346; Nicolaou (1997) Nature387:268-272; Vasquez (1997) Mol. Biol. Cell. 8:973-985; Panda (1996) J.Biol. Chem. 271:29807-29812.

Other exemplary anti-cancer agents include alitretinon, altretamine,aminopterin, aminolevulinic acid, amsacrine (Amsidine®), asparaginase(crisantaspase, Erwinase®), atrasentan, bexarotene (Targretin®),carboquone, demecolcine, efaproxiral, elsamitrucin, etoglucid,ferrocene, Gliadel implants, hydroxycarbamide, leucovorin, lonidamine,lucanthone, masoprocol, methyl aminolevulinate, mitoguazone, mitotane(Lysodren®), oblimersen, omacetaxine (Genasense®), pegaspargase(Oncaspar®), porfimer sodium (Photofrin®), prednimustine, sitimageneceradenovec (Cerepro®), talaporfin, temoporfin, trabectedin (Yondelis®),and verteporfin.

Modes of Administration

Dosage levels of the disclosed compounds can range from about 0.001 mgto about 5,000 mg per kilogram body weight. An effective amount of theactive agent may range from about 0.001 mg to about 100 mg per kilogramof patient body weight per day. Dosage of active agent can beadministered in a single unit or in multiple dosage units to provide thedesired therapeutic effect. It will be appreciated that appropriatedosages of the compounds, and compositions comprising the compounds, canvary from patient to patient. Determining the optimal dosage willgenerally involve the balancing of the level of therapeutic benefitagainst any risk or deleterious side effects of the treatments of thepresent invention. The selected dosage level will depend on a variety offactors including, but not limited to, the activity of the particularcompound, the route of administration, the time of administration, therate of excretion of the compound, the duration of the treatment, otherdrugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination, and the age,sex, weight, condition, general health, and prior medical history of thepatient. The amount of compound and route of administration willultimately be at the discretion of the physician, although generally thedosage will be to achieve local concentrations at the site of actionwhich achieve the desired effect without causing substantial harmful ordeleterious side-effects.

Administration in vivo can be effected in one dose, continuously orintermittently (e.g., in divided doses at appropriate intervals)throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the mosteffective means and dosage of administration are well known to those ofskill in the art and will vary with the formulation used for therapy,the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated, and thesubject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carriedout with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treatingphysician. In general, a suitable dose of the compound may be in therange of about 100 μg to about 250 mg per kilogram body weight of thesubject per day.

The composition may be administered once, on a continuous basis (e.g. byan intravenous drip), or on a periodic/intermittent basis, includingabout once per hour, about once per two hours, about once per fourhours, about once per eight hours, about once per twelve hours, aboutonce per day, about once per two days, about once per three days, abouttwice per week, about once per week, and about once per month. Thecomposition may be administered until a desired reduction of symptoms isachieved.

Methods of treatment may include any number of modes of administering adisclosed composition. Modes of administration may include tablets,pills, dragees, hard and soft gel capsules, granules, pellets, aqueous,lipid, oily or other solutions, emulsions such as oil-in-wateremulsions, liposomes, aqueous or oily suspensions, syrups, elixirs,solid emulsions, solid dispersions or dispersible powders. For thepreparation of pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration, theagent may be admixed with commonly known and used adjuvants andexcipients such as for example, gum arabic, talcum, starch, sugars (suchas, e.g., mannitose, methyl cellulose, lactose), gelatin, surface-activeagents, magnesium stearate, aqueous or non-aqueous solvents, paraffinderivatives, cross-linking agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, lubricants,conserving agents, flavoring agents (e.g., ethereal oils), solubilityenhancers (e.g., benzyl benzoate or benzyl alcohol) or bioavailabilityenhancers (e.g. Gelucire™). In the pharmaceutical composition, the agentmay also be dispersed in a microparticle, e.g. a nanoparticulatecomposition.

For parenteral administration, the agent can be dissolved or suspendedin a physiologically acceptable diluent, such as, e.g., water, buffer,oils with or without solubilizers, surface-active agents, dispersants oremulsifiers. As oils for example and without limitation, olive oil,peanut oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, castor oil and sesame oil maybe used. More generally spoken, for parenteral administration, the agentcan be in the form of an aqueous, lipid, oily or other kind of solutionor suspension or even administered in the form of liposomes ornano-suspensions.

The term “parenterally,” as used herein, refers to modes ofadministration which include intravenous, intramuscular,intraperitoneal, intrasternal, subcutaneous and intraarticular injectionand infusion.

Kits

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a kit, which may be used fortreating a disease modulated by TAK1 in a subject.

A kit will include a compound of formula (I) as described herein. A kitmay also include instructions for use of the compound of formula (I) orat least one active agent. Instructions included in kits can be affixedto packaging material or can be included as a package insert. While theinstructions are typically written or printed materials they are notlimited to such. Any medium capable of storing such instructions andcommunicating them to an end user is contemplated by this disclosure.Such media include, but are not limited to, electronic storage media(e.g., magnetic discs, tapes, cartridges, chips), optical media (e.g.,CD, DVD), and the like. As used herein, the term “instructions” caninclude the address of an internet site that provides the instructions.

In some embodiments, the at least one disclosed compound and the atleast one active agent are co-formulated. In some embodiments, the atleast one disclosed compound and the at least one active agent areco-packaged. The kits can also comprise compounds and/or productsco-packaged, co-formulated, and/or co-delivered with other components.For example, a drug manufacturer, a drug reseller, a physician, acompounding shop, or a pharmacist can provide a kit comprising adisclosed compound and/or product and another component for delivery toa patient.

That the disclosed kits can be employed in connection with disclosedmethods of use.

The kits may include information, instructions, or both that use of thekit will provide treatment for medical conditions in mammals(particularly humans). The information and instructions may be in theform of words, pictures, or both, and the like. In addition or in thealternative, the kit may include the compound, a composition, or both;and information, instructions, or both, regarding methods of applicationof compound, or of composition, preferably with the benefit of treatingor preventing medical conditions in mammals (e.g., humans).

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that othersuitable modifications and adaptations of the compounds and methods ofthe present disclosure described herein are readily applicable andappreciable, and may be made using suitable equivalents withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure or the aspects andembodiments disclosed herein. Having now described the presentdisclosure in detail, the same will be more clearly understood byreference to the following examples which are merely intended only toillustrate some aspects and embodiments of the disclosure, and shouldnot be viewed as limiting to the scope of the disclosure. Thedisclosures of all journal references, U.S. patents and publicationsreferred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Synthesis of HS-206

3-Carbamoylbenzoic acid (1 g, 0.006 mol) was dissolved in 10 mL of drydimethylformamide (DMF) while stirring in a round bottom flask. HBTU(2.73 g, 0.0072 mol)/HOBT hydrate (1.195 g, 0.0078 mol) solution wasmade with 15 mL DMF. HBTU/HOBT was added to the solution in the roundbottom flask. 1-propylbenzimidazol-2-amine (1.157 mg, 0.0066 mol) in 15mL DMF was injected and the solution was stirred for 20 minutes at roomtemperature. 4-methylmorpholine (1.98 mL, 0.018 mol) was added to theround bottom flask by syringe. The mixture was stirred until reactioncompletion (˜12 hrs.). The reaction was quenched with 10 mL of deionized(DI) water. A precipitate was formed and isolated by vacuum filtrationand washed with 10 mL of DI water to give the final product. Yield 1.56g (80% yield)

Example 2. Synthesis of HS-206 Analogs

The compounds shown below may be prepared in an analogous manner to thatdescribed in Example 1, using appropriate starting materials.

wherein

Compound X R₂ R₃ R₄ 1 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 2 —N(H)— —H —NH₂ —H 3—N(CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 4 —N(CH₂CH═CHCH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 5 —N(CH₂CH(CH₃)₂)— —H—NH₂ —H 6 —N(CH₂CH₂OH)— —H —NH₂ —H 7 —N(CH₂CO₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 8—N(CH₂C(O)Ph)- —H —NH₂ —H 9 —N(CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 10—N(CH₂CONH₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 11 —S— —H —NH₂ —H 12 —S— —OCH₃ —NH₂ —H 13 —S——Br —NH₂ —H 14 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 15 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 16—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H 17 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₂CH₃ —H 18—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —CH₃ 19 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —OCH₃ 20—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —Cl 21 —S— —H —OH —H 22 —S— —Br —OH —H 23 —S——OCH₃ —OCH₃ —H 24 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 25 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 26—N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 27 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H 28 —N(CH₂(CH₂)₄NH₂)——H —OCH₃ —H 29 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ 4-Br 30 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂5-Br

Synthesis of Takinib and Analogs

N-(1-Propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalamide 1. A mixture of3-carbamoylbenzoic acid (1.5 g, 9.08 mmol), N-propylaminobenzamidazole(1.59 g, 9.08 mmol), HOBT hydrate (1.39 g, 9.08 mmol), DMAP (110 mg, 0.9mmol) and EDC (2.61 g, 13.6 mmol) were dissolved in methylene chloride(30 mL), treated with Hunig's base (1.17 g, 9.08 mmol) and stirred for 6days. The reaction mixture was then concentrated and slurried with warmethanol and water. After stirring for a day, the solid was filtered off,washed with water and air-dried to give compound Takinib/EDHS-206 1 (2.2g, 75%) as a white powder. LC/MS gave a single peak with m/z=323.1[M+1]⁺ and 667.3 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ 8.68 (s, 1H), 8.38 (d, J=7Hz, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.57 (m, 3H), 7.41 (s,1H), 7.26 (t, J=7 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (t, J=7 Hz, 1H), 4.27 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H),1.85 (h, J=7 Hz, 2H), 0.93 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H).

2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl3-((1-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate 2. A mixture ofisophthalic acid (300 mg, 1.8 mmol), N-ethylaminobenzamidazole (291 mg,1.8 mmol), N-hydroxysuccinimide (249 mg, 2.17 mmol), DMAP (22 mg, 0.18mmol) and EDC (865 mg, 4.5 mmol) were dissolved in methylene chloride (5mL), treated with Hunig's base (233 mg, 1.8 mmol) and stirred for 2 h.The reaction mixture was added to a column and chromatographed (40 gIsco silica gel, 0 to 100% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to give pureproduct. The product was triturated with 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes togive 2 (157 mg, 21%) as a light cream colored powder. LC/MS gave asingle peak with m/z=407.1 [M+1]⁺ and 835.2 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ8.88 (s, 1H), 8.67 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), 8.23 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (t, J=7Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (t, J=7 Hz,1H), 7.25 (t, J=7 Hz, 1H), 4.33 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 2.92 (s, 4H), 1.37 (t,J=7 Hz, 3H).

N¹-(1-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-N³-methylisophthalamide 3.Compound 2 (20 mg, 49 μmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (2 mL)and treated with methyl amine (2M in THF, 250 μL). After 4 h, thereaction mixture was concentrated then dissolved in methylene chlorideand chromatographed (2×4 g isco silica gel, 0 to 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) togive the product 3 (11.1 mg, 70%) as a cream colored solid. LC/MS showeda single peak with m/z=323.1 [M+1]⁺ and 667.2 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆)δ 12.73 (br s, 1H), 8.64 (br s, 1H), 8.57 (q, J=4 Hz, 1H), 8.38 (d, J=8Hz, 1H), 7.94 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.58 (m, 3H). 7.27 (dt, J 1, 8 Hz,1H), 7.23 (dt, J=1, 8 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 2.82 (d, J=4 Hz,3H), 1.37 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H).

N-(1-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalamide 4. Compound 2 (20 mg,49 μmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (2 mL) and treated with 9/1MeOH/ammonium hydroxide solution (100 μL). After 3 days, the reactionmixture was diluted with methanol, concentrated onto silica gel andchromatographed (2×4 g isco silica gel, 0 to 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to give4 (12.2 mg) as a white powder. LC/MS showed a single peak with m/z=309.1[M+1]⁺ and 639.2 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ 12.75 (br s, 1H), 8.68 (brs, 1H), 8.38 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H),7.52-7.57 (m, 3H). 7.27 (dt, J 1, 8 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (s, 1H), 7.23 (dt,J=1, 8 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.36 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H).

3-((1-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid 5. Compound2 (20 mg, 49 μmol) was dissolved in methanol, treated with 50% sodiumhydroxide (10 drops) and stirred for a day. The mixture was then dilutedwith 1N HCl until a precipitate formed which was eventually filtered offto give 5 (7.7 mg, 48%) as a white solid. LC/MS showed a single peak atm/z=310.1 [M+H]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ13.09 (v br s, 1H), 12.77 (br s,1H), 8.78 (br s, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.60(t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.27 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (t, J=8Hz, 1H), 4.32 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.37 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H).

Methyl 3-((1-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate 6.Compound 2 (20 mg, 49 μmol) was dissolved in methanol (2 mL) and treatedwith 1 drop of 50% NaOH (50 mg or 25 mg NaOH). After 3 d, the mixturewas treated with acetic acid, concentrated and chromatographed (4 gmisco silica gel, 19/1: CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give a partially purifiedproduct. It was triturated with 20% EtOAc in hexane to give a powder andre-concentrated to give 6 (7.1 mg, 50%) as a pinkish solid. LC/MS gave asingle peak with m/z=324.1 [M+1]⁺ and 669.2 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ12.77 (br s, 1H), 8.80 (br s, 1H), 8.51 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J=8Hz, 1H), 7.64 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.28 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H),7.24 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 4.33 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 1.37 (t, J=7Hz, 3H).

Methyl 3-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate 7. A mixture ofmethyl isophthalate (500 mg, 2.8 mmol), aminobenzamidazole (369 mg, 2.8mmol), HOBT (340 mg, 2.2 mmol), DMAP (34 mg, 0.28 mmol) and EDC (718 mg,3.7 mmol) were dissolved in methylene chloride (5 mL), treated withHunig's base (359 mg, 2.8 mmol) and stirred for 1 d. The reactionmixture was diluted with methanol, adsorbed onto silica gel andchromatographed (40 g Isco silica gel, 0 to 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to givepure product. The product was triturated with 20% ethyl acetate inhexanes to give 7 (352 mg, 42%) as a white powder. LC/MS gave a singlepeak with m/z=296.1 [M+1]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ 12.51 (br s, 1H), 8.78(br s, 1H), 8.39 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (t, J=8 Hz,1H), 7.42-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.19 (m, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H).

Methyl 3-((1-(5-bromopentyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate8. Compound 7 (100 mg, 338 μmol) was dissolved in THF (2 mL) and DMSO (1mL) and treated with KOtBu (338 μL of 1M solution in THF) followed by1,5-dibromopentane (77.9 mg, 46.1 μL, 338 μmol) and stirred at RT for 2h. The reaction mixture was concentrated then chromatographed (43 g IscoC18, 0 to 100% MeOH w/0.2% formic in both) to give compound 8 (98 mg,65%) as a white solid. LC/MS showed a single peak at m/z=444.1 [M+H]⁺.¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ12.77 (br s, 1H), 8.81 (s, 1H), 8.49 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H),8.09 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (2 d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 7.27(t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (t, J+8 Hz, 1H), 4.30 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H), 3.90 (s,3H), 3.50 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (p, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.87 (p, J=7 Hz, 2H),1.49 (p, J=7 Hz, 2H).

Methyl 3-((1-(5-aminopentyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate9.

Compound 8 (67 mg, 151 μmol) was dissolved in methanolic ammonia (7Nammonia in methanol, 4 mL) and heated at 45° C. overnight. The next day,the reaction mixture was concentrated to a glass and chromatographed (43g isco C18, 0 to 100% MeOH with 0.2% formic acid) to give compound 9 (33mg, 60%) as a tacky solid. LC/MS showed a single peak at m/z=381.2.¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ 8.81 (br s, 1H), 8.49 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 8.44 (s, 1H),8.09 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.27 (t,j=8 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H),2.68 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.84 (p, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.58 (p, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.41(p, J=7 Hz, 2H),

4-Bromo-N1-(1-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalamide 11. Amixture of 4-bromoisophthalic acid (100 mg, 4.1 μmol),N-ethylaminobenzamidazole (66 mg, 4.1 μmol), N-hydroxysuccinimide (56mg, 4.9 μmol), DMAP (5 mg, 0.4 μmol) and EDC (234 mg, 1.2 mmol) weredissolved in methylene chloride (5 mL), treated with Hunig's base (53mg, 4.1 μmol) and stirred for 3 d. The reaction mixture was addeddirectly to a column and air-dried for a few minutes thenchromatographed (12 g isco silica gel, 0 to 100% EtOAc in hexanes) togive 10 (56 mg, 28%) as a glass. The glass was treated with 7N ammoniain methanol (2 mL) and stirred for 1 d. The mixture was concentrated andchromatographed (12 g isco silica gel, 0 to 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to givetwo peaks. The larger later eluting peak was concentrated to give 11(19.8 mg, 10%) as a white solid. LC/MS gave a single peak with m/z=387.1[M+1]⁺ and 795.0 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ 12.77 (br s, 1H), 8.12 (brs, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.59 (m, 2H),7.28 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.31(t, J=7 Hz, 3H).

5-Bromo-N-(1-propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalamide 13. Amixture of 5-bromoisophthalic acid (100 mg, 4.1 μmol),N-propylaminobenzamidazole (72 mg, 4.1 μmol), N-hydroxysuccinimide (56mg, 4.9 μmol), DMAP (5 mg, 0.4 μmol) and EDC (234 mg, 1.2 mmol) weredissolved in methylene chloride (5 mL), treated with Hunig's base (53mg, 4.1 μmol) and stirred for 1 d to give 12. The reaction mixture wasthen treated with 9/1 MeOH/NH₄OH (5 mL) and stirred for 2 h. The mixturewas concentrated to a solid, dissolved in DMSO, added to a column andchromatographed (50 g isco C18, 0 to 100% MeOH with 0.2% formic acid) togive 13 (71 mg, 43%) as a white powder. LC/MS gave a single peak withm/z=401.1 [M+1]⁺ and 823.1 [2M+Na]⁺. ¹H-NMR (dmso-d₆) δ 12.77 (br s,1H), 8.65 (br s, 1H), 8.45 (br s, 1H), 8.22 (br s, 1H), 8.17 (br s, 1H),7.54-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.28 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 4.27 (t,J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.85 (h, J=7 Hz, 2H), 0.92 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H).

Reference Example 1

Materials. HEK293 and HepG2 cells were obtained from the Duke CellCulture Facility. Cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle'smedium (DMEM) (Life Technologies) supplemented with 10% FBS (Sigma) and1% antibiotic-antimycotic (Life Technologies) and maintained in astandard tissue culture incubator (37° C., 5% CO₂). ATP-sepharose beadswere synthesized in house according to a previously published procedure.Plasmodium berghei ANKA infected Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes werepurchased from the New York University Langone Medical Center Insectary.

Primary Small-Molecule Screen.

A small-molecule screen was performed similar to a previously reportedfluorescence linked enzyme chemoproteomic strategy (FLECS). Briefly,HEK293-GFP-PfPK9 cells were grown in 182-cm² tissue culture flasks(Genesee Scientific) and harvested at ˜80% cell confluency. Beforeassays the culture medium was aspirated, cells were rinsed with ice coldPBS and then they were removed with a cell scraper. Cells were pelletedby centrifugation (2,000 rpm, 4° C., 2 min) and immediately lysed forassays. The pellet was suspended in buffer A (25 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150mM NaCl, 60 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM DTT) with 1 μM microcystin, 0.1% Triton X-100plus a Roche Complete protease inhibitor tablet and then placed on icefor 30 min to facilitate lysis. The supernatant was collected aftercentrifugation (4,300 rpm, 4° C., 5 min) and used in subsequentscreening and titrations experiments. For screening, the supernatant wasadded to ATP-sepharose beads (1:1) and incubated with agitation at 4° C.for at least 1 hr to allow binding. Following this incubation, themixture was centrifuged, the ATP resin was washed with 9 column volumesof buffer A with 1 M NaCl and then 9 column volumes of buffer A. TheATP-sepharose medium was reconstituted as a 1:1 slurry with buffer A andthen added to 96-well filter plates (50 μL/well) (Corning #3505) using amultichannel pipette (Rainin). The filter plate was on top of black96-well catch plates (Corning #3915). An ATP dilution series (1-200 mM)was added to each plate as a positive control and DMSO was the negativecontrol. Compounds and controls were all added to 50 μL per well inbuffer A. For screening, compounds were tested in singlicate at 500 μM.The final DMSO concentration in every well was 5%. The fluorescenceintensity in each well was measured on an EnVision system. Data analysesof screens were carried out in EXCEL (Microsoft, Corp.) and actives wereidentified as 2× background signal.

Secondary Assays.

All screening positives were verified with Western blot analysis. SDSgel loading buffer was added to filtrates after fluorescencemeasurement, samples were loaded onto 4-20% Tris-Glycine polyacrylamidegels (Novex, Life Technologies) and then wet-transferred tonitrocellulose membranes. Membranes were blocked with 3% BSA and thenprobed with primary rabbit eGFP antibodies (CAB4211, Pierce) andsecondary Alexa Fluor 488® goat anti-rabbit IgG antibodies (A-11034,Life Technologies). Precision Plus Protein™ (Bio-Rad) was used as aprotein ladder and the blots were imaged using Image Lab Software(Bio-Rad).

All screening positives that were verified with Western blot analysiswere purchased from Enamine or Vitas-M laboratory. The purity ofcompounds 1-5 (shown below) was verified by high-resolution MS(Agilent). Compounds were tested in 8-point dose-response (0-500 μM)experiments in duplicate, essential as described above. The fluorescenceintensity in each well was measured using an EnVision system.Dose-response analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism to acquire EC₅₀values. Determined EC₅₀ values were used to calculate the observed PfPK9K_(d) and reported values are the average of 2-3 independentexperiments.

Cell-Based Anti-Plasmodium Assays.

For liver stage assays, 15,000 HepG2 or 8,000 Huh7 cells/well were addedto 384-well microtiter plates using a multichannel pipette (Rainin).After 2 hours at 37° C., compounds (0-100 μM) were added to cells induplicate or triplicate in a final concentration of 1% DMSO. DMSO wasused as the negative control. Following compound incubation at 37° C.for ˜1 hr, harvested luciferase-expressing P. berghei ANKA sporozoiteswere added to the plates at a density of 3,000 sporozoites/well. P.berghei ANKA sporozoites were obtained from harvesting the salivaryglands of infected A. stephensi mosquitoes. The plates were spun for 10min at 1,000 rpm, and then incubated at 37° C. for ˜45 hrs. The finalassay volume post-infection was 30 μL and all wells had a finalconcentration of 1% DMSO. After ˜45 hours at 37° C., liver cellviability was assessed using CellTiter-Fluor (Promega) and then parasiteload was determined using Bright-Glo (Promega). The relativefluorescence and luminescence signal intensity of each well wasevaluated with an EnVision System. The luminescence signal in thepresence of compounds was normalized to the negative control (DMSO).Dose-response analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism to yield thereported EC₅₀ values.

Stable Cell Line Generation.

The P. falciparum PK9 gene (PlasmoDB accession # PF3D7_1315100) wascloned into the pEGFP-C1 mammalian expression vector (Clontech) in framewith a C-terminal GFP tag. For screening, HEK293 cells were transfectedwith the resulting PfPK9-pEGFP-C1 vector to generate HEK293-GFP-PfPK9expressing cells using X-tremeGENE HP transfection reagent (Roche) perthe manufacturer instructions. Briefly, the culture medium was replacedat 48 hours post-transfection with medium supplemented with 1 mg/mL G418sulfate (Life Technologies) to select for stably transfected cells.Following stable cell selection, fluorescence activated cell sorting(FACS) was used to enrich for GFP-PfPK9 expressing cells. Subsequently,FACS sorted HEK293-GFP-PfPK9 cells were cultured with mediumsupplemented with 0.5 mg/mL G418 sulfate for all following experiments.Protein expression was verified by Western blot analysis probing foranti-GFP and by fluorescence intensity using an EnVision (PerkinElmer)system.

Recombinant Protein Expression and Enzyme Activity Assay.

Recombinant GST-tagged PfPK9 was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) cells,purified to homogeneity, and the GST tag was cleaved with PreScissionProtease (GE Healthcare). To test for inhibition of PfPK9, the ADPdetection assay ADP-Glo (Promega) was used to determine ATPase activityof PfPK9 in the presence of the PfUBC13 protein substrate when treatedwith compounds 1 and 5. Approximately 500 nM PfPK9 was incubated witheither compound (10 μM or 500 μM) for 5 min at RT in buffer containing40 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 20 mM MgCl₂, 2 mM MnCl₂ and 1 mM DTT prior to assayinitiation with 100 μM ATP. The assay was performed in white low-volume384-well plates (Corning #3824) in triplicate. The assay plate wassealed and subsequently incubated for 8 hrs at 37° C. before ADPdetection per manufacturer instructions. The final assay volume was 5 μLwith a final concentration of 1% DMSO. A negative control was performedin 1% DMSO and heat inactivated PfPK9 (80° C. for 5 min) was used as apositive control. The luminescence intensity in each well was measuredon an EnVision system. Data were normalized to the average luminescencesignal of the negative control to provide relative ADP concentrationsand graphs were constructed in GraphPad Prism. Data analyses wereconducted from three independent experiments. An unpaired two-tailedt-test was used to determine statistical differences between control andsample reactions.

Gene Expression Analysis.

For gene expression of PbPK9 during the liver stage, HepG2 cells wereseeded in a 12-well plate (Costar #3513) and infected with P. bergheiANKA sporozoites at 0.3 multiplicity of infection. At four hourspost-infection, the culture medium was changed with fresh medium tocontrol for non-invading sporozoites. Thereafter, the total RNA wasisolated or the plate further incubated at 37° C. until samplecollection. Total RNA was isolated from HepG2 cells at 4, 24 and 48hours post-infection and from 1×10⁵ sporozoites used for infection.First strand cDNA was synthesized from total RNA (20 ng) with randomhexamers and GoScript™ Reverse Transcription System according tomanufacturer protocol (Promega). Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) wasperformed using cDNA as a template, gene-specific primers, and SYBRgreen I Master Mix (Roche) on a LightCycler® 480 System (Roche). Therelative PbPK9 mRNA levels were normalized against the levels of Pb 18SrRNA and firefly luciferase (luc) used as reference genes. The relativegene expression of PbPK9 over time in infected cells was compared to P.berghei ANKA sporozoites (reference time point). Data analyses wereperformed from four biological experiments. PCR amplification wasperformed as follows: 10 minutes at 95° C. followed by 45 cycles ofthree-step amplification of 95° C. for 10 s, 53° C. (60° C. for fireflyluciferase primers) for 20 s and 72° C. for 10 s. The primer sequencesused for qPCR were as follows: PbPK9, AATTATGGGCCGCTTATTGG,TGACTCAAGGTTACCCACCA; Pb 18S rRNA, GGTTTTGACGTTTATGTGGGCAT,GGCATGTCGTAAACGCAAGAA; firefly luciferase (luc gene),CGGGCGCGGTCGGTAAAGTT, GTCGGGAAGACCTGCCACGC.

Immunofluorescence Analysis of EEFs.

For immunofluorescence analysis of EEFs, Huh7 cells were fixed with 4%paraformaldehyde for 10 min at room temperature (RT), washed thrice withPBS, permeabilized with cooled methanol for 10 min at −20° C. andblocked with 3% BSA in PBS for 30 min at RT. Thereafter, cells wereincubated with a primary antibody, mouse anti-PbHSP70 (clone 2E6;1:1000) diluted in blocking buffer overnight at 4° C. Followingincubation, samples were washed with PBS and incubated for 1 hr at RTwith a secondary antibody, goat anti-mouse AlexaFluor 488 (1:400, LifeTechnologies). Finally, nuclei were stained with DAPI for 15 min at RT.For evaluation of fluorescence intensity from EEFs after infection withGFP-expressing P. berghei sporozoites, DAPI nucleus staining wasperformed following cell fixation. After five washes with PBS, ˜40 μlPBS was left in wells and images were acquired on a Zeiss Axio Observerwidefield fluorescence microscope.

P. falciparum Asexual Blood-Stage Culture.

P. falciparum 3D7 isolate was maintained under standard conditions incomplete culturing medium [10.44 g/L RPMI 1640 (Invitrogen), 5.94 g/LHEPES (Invitrogen), 50 mg/L hypoxanthine (Sigma), 2.02 g/L sodiumbicarbonate (Sigma), 5 g/L albuMAX II (Invitrogen), 25 mg/L gentamicin(Sigma), pH 7.2]. Parasite cultures were supplied with human red bloodcells (Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center) at 1% hematocrit. To obtainsynchronous cultures, Plasmodium parasites (at least 50% parasites wereat the early-ring stage) were pelleted at 300×g for 7 min using a lowbrake setting and treated with 25 volume 5% D-sorbitol (Sigma) at 37° C.for 10 min. Treated parasites were then harvested and washed with 25volume of complete culturing medium using the aforementionedcentrifugation protocol, and diluted with the complete medium to 1%hematocrit to maintain the parasite culture at 37° C. and 5% CO₂.

Protein Extraction and Western Blot for K63-Linked Ubiquitination inPlasmodium Blood Stage.

Synchronized ring-stage P. falciparum parasites (10 h post-reinvasion)at 10% parasitemia, 1% hematocrit were exposed for 24 hr with eithercompound 1 (6 points dose-response; 0.001-100 μM), compound 5 (singleconcentration; 30 μM) or <0.1% DMSO. Following compound exposure, P.falciparum cultures were harvested and sequentially treated with 0.03%saponin lysis buffer to remove host cytosolic proteins and uninfectedred blood cells followed by sonication in parasite lysis buffer [10 mMHEPES pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 0.25% Triton X-100, 0.1%2-Mercaptoethanol, 1 mM Benzamidine, Complete protease inhibitorcocktail]. Total protein lysates were heated in SDS loading buffer for 5min at 80° C., analyzed on 4-20% Tris-Glycine polyacrylamide gels(Novex, Life Technologies) and subsequently transferred tonitrocellulose membranes. A ubiquitin antibody specific for K63 linkages(Abcam ab179434) was used to probe changes in protein ubiquitinationbetween control and treated samples. Anti-actin antibody (Abcam ab3280)was used to monitor actin levels as a loading control. Antibody-boundproteins were visualized using the BioRad ChemiDoc MP imager.

Example 4. Compounds Tested

IC₅₀ (μM) Liver Liver K_(d, app) stage stage Cmpd Structure (μM) (HepG2)(Huh7) HS-206 (1)

0.2  6.6 (5.6-7.8) 7.3  (6.4-8.4) 2

7.0  4.5 (2.6-7.9) 0.090 (0.01-0.6) 3

0.6  7.3 (4.2-13) 4.0  (3.9-4.2) 4

3.2 54.5 (44-68) 33.3  (15-74) 5

ND^(a)  9.7 (7.6-12) 8.5  (7.3-10)

Example 5. Cell-Based Anti-Plasmodium Assays

Anti-Plasmodium activity was evaluated in the parasite's liver stageusing a previously reported high-throughput assay. In this assay,luciferase-expressing P. berghei (murine) parasites are used to infecthuman hepatoma cells (HepG2) and parasite load is assessed with aluminometer subsequent to evaluating HepG2 viability using acommercially available quantification kit that measures intracellularprotease activity. Among the 14 compounds tested none inhibited HepG2viability ≥50% at 30 μM, indicating relatively low cytotoxicity, butfive compounds reduced parasite load ≥50% (FIG. 2A). These compoundstermed 1-5 were selected for further analyses.

Example 6. Recombinant Protein Expression and Enzyme Activity Assay

All 14 positive molecules were also tested for their binding affinity toPfPK9 using an optimized ATP-competitive binding assay. EC₅₀ valuesranging from low μM to low mM were observed and these EC₅₀ values wereused to derive dissociation constants as described previously. Among thecompounds exhibiting anti-Plasmodium activity, benzimidazole compound 1exhibited the highest binding affinity for GFP-PfPK9 with an apparentK_(d) (K_(d(app))) of ˜0.2 μM (FIG. 2B), while compound 2 exhibited thelowest binding affinity with an apparent K_(d) 7 μM. To enablecomparisons of these binding constants to PfPK9's native substrate, theapparent K_(d) of ATP for GFP-PfPK9 (˜0.4 mM, was determined. Compounds1, 2 and 3 are structural analogs containing a benzimidazole scaffoldwhereas compounds 4 and 5 contain a quinoline scaffold (FIG. 2C).

The potency of compounds 1-5 was evaluated in several cell-based assays.Specifically, their ability to inhibit P. berghei infection in two humanhepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) as well as cytotoxicity againstHepG2 and Huh7 cells was determined as described above. Liver cellcytotoxicity was evaluated with two different commercially availableassays, one that tests for intracellular protease activity with afluorescence reporter and another that relies on the luminescentdetection of total ATP. Compounds 1-3, which share a benzimidazolescaffold, inhibited liver stage parasites with IC₅₀ values in the lowmicromolar range (5-7 μM) and with similar potencies regardless of thehost cell line tested. Compound 1 exhibited an IC₅₀ value of ˜7 μMagainst parasite infection in both HepG2 and Huh7 yet did not affectliver cell viability even at 200 μM based on three independentcytotoxicity assays (FIG. 3A). Despite a weak binding affinity for PfPK9(K_(d(app))=7 μM), compound 2 showed the highest inhibition of parasiteload in liver cells with IC₅₀ values of 4.5 μM and 0.09 μM in HepG2 andHuh7 cells, respectively. However, assessment of cell viability revealeda significant cytotoxic effect of compound 2 at 30 μM in both hepatomacell lines (ANOVA P=0.0050 for HepG2 and ANOVA P=0.0060 for Huh7) whencompared to the DMSO control. Compound 3 (K_(d(app))=0.6 μM) inhibitedparasite load with IC₅₀ values of 7.3 μM and 4.0 μM in HepG2 and Huh7cells, respectively, and showed moderate cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells(ANOVA P=0.0050). Compound 4, a 4-aminoquinoline derivative, had weakinhibitory activity on parasite load with IC₅₀ values of 55 μM and 33μM, respectively in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. The 8-aminoquinolinederivative compound 5, whose affinity for PfPK9 was not determined usingfluorescent readout, exhibited parasite inhibition IC₅₀ values of 9 μMand 10 μM, respectively, in Huh7 and HepG2 cells. In contrast to thebenzimidazole structural analogs, neither compound 4 or 5 had anysignificant effects on cell viability at concentrations up to 200 μM.

Example 7. Gene Expression During Plasmodium Liver Stage

To probe the biological function of PfPK9 in Plasmodium, the geneexpression profile of the murine P. berghei protein kinase 9, PbPK9, wasmeasured throughout liver stage development. P. berghei-infected HepG2cells were collected at various times post-infection (4-48 hr) andextracted total RNA was analyzed with quantitative real-time PCR usingprimers for PbPK9, Pb18S rRNA and luc (firefly luciferase) genes.Freshly dissected parasites (sporozoites) that were not used forinfection were used to normalize samples collected at 4, 24 and 48 hourspost-infection. Samples at each time were also normalized to Pb18S rRNAand luc to control for parasite numbers. As shown in FIG. 3B, PbPK9 isexpressed throughout Plasmodium liver stage development and exhibits atime dependent increase post-infection. PbPK9 levels are greatest in theexo-erythrocytic form (EEF) that was evaluated at 48 hourspost-infection (ANOVA P=0.0154) when compared to four hourspost-infection. Since a single Plasmodium parasite develops into10,000-30,000 over the course of liver stage infection, the transcriptlevels of Pb18S rRNA and luc genes were also evaluated as markers thatwould be proportional to parasite numbers. These markers exhibited atime dependent decrease in Ct values post-infection (ANOVA P=0.0012 andANOVA P<0.0001, respectively for Pb18S rRNA and luc genes), suggestingproper maturation and division of parasites during the experiment.

Example 8. Inhibition of PfPK9 Autophosphorylation In Vitro

PfPK9 activity in the presence of the compounds was also evaluated.PfPK9 requires autophosphorylation at threonine residues (T082, T265,and T269) for optimal kinase activity and this requirement was exploitedfor our assay design. Purified recombinant PfPK9 was used and measuredthe generation of ADP from ATP in the presence and absence of compounds1 and 5 using a commercially available luminescence assay. As shown inFIG. 3C, compound 1 significantly reduced the generation of ADP byapproximately 40% at 500 μM (P=0.002), but not 10 μM. Compound 5, whichhas a quinoline scaffold, reduced PfPK9 activity by approximately 70%and 30% at 500 μM and 10 μM, respectively (P=0.0007 and 0.009,respectively).

Example 9. Effect of HS-206 During Malaria's Liver Stage

To further investigate the effect of compound 1 during malaria's liverstage, immunofluorescence assays were performed. Infected Huh7 cellswere treated with 10 μM or 30 μM compound 1 for various period of timeranging from 0-24 h post-infection (hpi), 24-48 hpi and 0-48 hpi, andsubsequently labeled with P. berghei HSP70 antibodies at 48 hpi. Asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4E, 10 μM compound 1 treatment significantlyincreased P. b. EEF size as compared to DMSO treated cells at all timeperiods tested (One-way ANOVA P<0.0001). The number of P.b. EEFs was notaffected by 10 μM compound 1 as compared to DMSO treatment (FIG. 4B;One-way ANOVA P=0.0804). Similarly, treatment of infected cells with 30μM compound 1 led to increased P.b. EEF size when added either for 0-24hpi or 24-48 hpi. (FIGS. 4C and 4E; One-way ANOVA P<0.0001).Interestingly, the number of P.b. EEFs only decreased when compound 1was added for 0-24 hpi or 0-48 hpi whereas treatment from 24-48 hpi didnot significantly decreased EEF number (FIG. 4D; One-way ANOVAP<0.0001). Moreover, total fluorescence signal from GFP-expressing P.b.EEFs decreased with compound 1 when added for a period of 48 hpost-infection. Specifically, a decreasing trend in fluorescence signalwas observed with 10 μM compound 1, which was further exacerbated by ahigher concentration of 30 μM post-infection; whereas P.b. EEF size wasincreased by 10 μM compound 1 as compared to DMSO treated cells. Theseobservations suggest that compound 1 while potentially modulatingparasite growth during infection has a detrimental effect on parasiteviability.

Example 10. PfPK9 Inhibitors Decrease K63-Linked Protein UbiquitinationIn Vivo

Given that the P. falciparum E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (PfUBC13),which is involved in K63-linked ubiquitination, was shown previously tobe regulated by PfPK9¹³, it was investigated whether compound 1 wouldaffect its ubiquitin-conjugating activity. Hence, ring-form blood stageP. falciparum parasites were treated for 24 hrs with increasingconcentrations of compound 1 and anti-UbK63 was used to assess levels ofK63-linked ubiquitination in total parasite protein extracts. Adose-dependent decrease was observed in the levels of K63-linkedubiquitinated proteins after compound 1 treatment compared to DMSOtreated blood stage parasites (FIG. 5A-B). Similarly, compound 5 (30 μM)also decreased K63-linked ubiquitination in blood stage parasites albeitto a lesser extent than compound 1.

Lastly, to ensure that our in vivo results were primarily due to PfPK9inhibition, the effect of compounds 1 and 5 on UBC13 phosphorylation invitro was investigated. Using a commercially available luminescenceassay as aforementioned to monitor ADP generation from purified PfPK9and UBC13 proteins, UBC13 phosphorylation by PfPK9 was significantlydecreased by both inhibitors as compared to DMSO, vehicle control.

Taken together, these results indicate that the tested PfPK9 inhibitors(i.e. compounds 1 and 5) decrease UBC13-mediated K63 proteinubiquitination in Plasmodium parasites through a mechanism impairingPfPK9 functions.

Example 11. Kinase Screening

Kinase Selectivity Profiling.

The selectivity profile of HS-206 to inhibit mammalian kinases wastested against a panel of 140 kinases at a single concentration of 10μM. Tests were performed using a radiolabeled (³³P-ATP) filter-bindingassay at the International Centre for Kinase Profiling at the Universityof Dundee, UK (http://www.kinase-screen.mrc.ac.uk/). See FIG. 6.

This panel contains members of all major kinase families, includingtyrosine kinases (TK), tyrosine kinase-like (TKL), sterileserine/threonine (STE), and CDK/MAPK/GSK/CLK (CMGC). The strongestkinase inhibition was found for TAK1 (STE/TKL family), IRAK4 (TKL),IRAK1 (TKL), CLK2 (CMGC), GCK (STE), and MINK1 (STE), indicating thatmembers of several kinase families were targeted. For these kinases,IC50 values were determined (Table 1).

TABLE 1 Kinase IC50 (μM) TAK1 0.0095 ± 0.002  CLK2 0.43 ± 0.04 IRAKI0.39 ± 0.05 IRAK4 0.12 ± 0.03 GCK 0.43 ± 0.04 MINK1 1.9 ± 1 

Compound 1 significantly decreased (≥80% inhibition) the activity ofonly 11 of the 140 kinases when tested at 10 μM. Of the top kinase hitsidentified, the activity of six kinases (MINK1, GCK, IRAK4, IRAK1, CLK2,TAK1) was inhibited by greater than 90%.

Remarkably, TAK1, IRAK4, and IRAK1 are part of the ubiquitin signalingpathway in mammalian cells, which demonstrates functional similaritiesin the identified kinase hits. However, these kinases show nosignificant sequence similarities, which is demonstrated in thesequences of the activation loop of these kinases (FIG. 7). It isbelieved that HS-206 inhibits TAK1 in the nM range.

Kinase Assay.

Activity of purified TAK1-TAB1 protein was measured as previouslydescribed (Hastie et al., Nat. Protoc. (2006) 1, 968-971). In brief,TAK1-TAB1 (50 ng/well) was incubated with 5 μM ATP containingradiolabeled [³²P]-ATP in the presence of 300 substrate peptide(RLGRDKYKTLRQIRQ) in a final volume of 40 μl in the presence of buffer(containing 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 0.1 mM EGTA, 0.1% β-Mercaptoethanol, 10mM magnesium acetate, 0.5 mM MnCl) and indicated compounds. The reactionwas let go for 10 min and stopped with 10 μl concentrated H₃PO₄. Theremaining activity was measured using a scintillation counter.Dose-response curves were repeated 3 times. For kinetic mechanisticstudies, experiments were repeated two times and averaged.

Further TAK1 activity is illustrated for compounds in FIGS. 12A-12B.

Example 12. Effects of HS-206 on Cellular Signaling

In order to investigate the effects of HS-206 on cellular signaling,MDA-MB-231 and Hela cells were pretreated with 10 μM HS-206 for 2 h andstimulated with TNFα (FIG. 8). In this study, HS-206 inhibitedactivation of IKK and p38, demonstrating the inhibition of TAK1downstream signaling. Additionally, HS-206 was found to inhibits p38 andNFκB signaling in a dose-dependent manner in Hela cells upon TNFαstimulation (FIG. 9).

Example 13. Selectivity of HS-206

The selectivity of compound 1 was also evaluated using ATP-beads toidentify potential off-target binding proteins in mammalian cells. Thismethod has been successfully used to assess the specificity of smallmolecule inhibitors of purine binding proteins. Whole-cell lysates fromuninfected HepG2 cells were added to ATP-bound sepharose beads andeluted with increasing concentrations of compound 1. DMSO was used asthe negative control and the positive control was the heat-shock protein90 (Hsp90) inhibitor geldanamycin. Addition of compound 1 up to 1 mM didnot lead to any significant elution of ATP-binding proteins whencompared to the DMSO control. In contrast, addition of geldanamycin tothe cell extract on ATP-beads resulted in a dose-dependent elution of aband at 90 kDa corresponding to Hsp90, as confirmed by matrix-assistedlaser desorption ionization (MALDI). Based on band intensityquantification of Hsp90 as a function of geldanamycin concentrations, aK_(d(app)) value of 5.5 nM (95% Cl: 4.5-6.8 nM) was calculated.

Example 14. Effects of HS-206 on Cell Viability

In order to examine the effect of HS-206 on cell viability of differentcancers, a screen of 60 cell lines was performed at the NCI, called theNCI-60 Cell One-Dose Screen. Cancer types most affected by a single doseof 10 μM HS-206 included colorectal (KM12), leukemia (HL-60), andnon-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H522), whereas cancers like melanoma(M14), renal (786-0), and ovarian cancer (Ovcar-3) showed little effect(FIG. 10). This screen determined growth inhibition as an effect ofHS-206 treatment over a period of 24 h. Viability and proliferationassays on multiple breast cancer cell lines were performed over 48 h and72 h and found a significant reduction in cell proliferation in the cellline MDA-MB-231 (FIG. 11).

It is understood that the foregoing detailed description andaccompanying examples are merely illustrative and are not to be taken aslimitations upon the scope of the invention, which is defined solely bythe appended claims and their equivalents.

Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications,including without limitation those relating to the chemical structures,substituents, derivatives, intermediates, syntheses, compositions,formulations, or methods of use of the invention, may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A compound according to Formula (I):

or a tautomer or salt thereof; wherein X is NR₁ or S; R₁ is H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl; R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, or halogen; R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), orN(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, orhalogen; wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, and R₄ areoptionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); wherein the compound of Formula(I) is not


19. The compound according to claim 18, or a tautomer or salt thereof,wherein X is NR₁ and R₁ is propyl.
 20. The compound according to claim18, or a tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R₂ is OCH₃ or Br.
 21. Thecompound according to claim 18, or a tautomer or salt thereof, whereinR₃ is OCH₃ or NHCH₃.
 22. The compound according to claim 18, or atautomer or salt thereof, wherein R₄ is H, CH₃, OCH₃ or Cl.
 23. Thecompound according to claim 18, or a tautomer or salt thereof, selectedfrom the group consisting of:

Compound X R₂ R₃ R₄ 2 —N(H)— —H —NH₂ —H 3 —N(CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 4—N(CH₂CH═CHCH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 5 —N(CH₂CH(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 6—N(CH₂CH₂OH)— —H —NH₂ —H 7 —N(CH₂CO₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 8 —N(CH₂C(O)Ph)- —H—NH₂ —H 9 —N(CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 10 —N(CH₂CONH₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 11—S— —H —NH₂ —H 12 —S— —OCH₃ —NH₂ —H 13 —S— —Br —NH₂ —H 14 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)——H —OH —H 15 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 16 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H17 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₂CH₃ —H 18 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —CH₃ 19—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —OCH₃ 20 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —Cl 21 —S— —H—OH —H 22 —S— —Br —OH —H 23 —S— —OCH₃ —OCH₃ —H 24 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃—H 25 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 26 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 27 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H—NHCH₃ —H 28 —N(CH₂(CH₂)₄NH₂)— —H —OCH₃ —H 29 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂4-Br 30 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ 5-Br


24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according toclaim 18, or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, anda pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 25. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound of Formula (I):

or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier; wherein X is NR₁ or S; R₁ is H,C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl; R₂ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, or halogen; R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), orN(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, orhalogen; wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, and R₄ areoptionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl).
 26. The pharmaceutical compositionof claim 25, wherein the compound of Formula (I) is

or a tautomer thereof.
 27. A method of treating a disease modulated bytransforming growth factor β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound according to Formula (I):

or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein X isNR₁ or S; R₁ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, or C₁₋₄ carboxyl; R₂ is H,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or halogen; R₃ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl); and R₄ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, or halogen; wherein the C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl of R₁, R₂, andR₄ are optionally independently substituted by halo, hydroxy, NH₂,NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)(C₁₋₄ alkyl).
 28. The method of claim27, wherein the compound of Formula (I) is selected from the groupconsisting of:

Compound X R₂ R₃ R₄ 1 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 2 —N(H)— —H —NH₂ —H 3—N(CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 4 —N(CH₂CH═CHCH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 5 —N(CH₂CH(CH₃)₂)— —H—NH₂ —H 6 —N(CH₂CH₂OH)— —H —NH₂ —H 7 —N(CH₂CO₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 8—N(CH₂C(O)Ph)- —H —NH₂ —H 9 —N(CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 10—N(CH₂CONH₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 11 —S— —H —NH₂ —H 12 —S— —OCH₃ —NH₂ —H 13 —S——Br —NH₂ —H 14 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 15 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 16—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H 17 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₂CH₃ —H 18—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —CH₃ 19 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —OCH₃ 20—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —Cl 21 —S— —H —OH —H 22 —S— —Br —OH —H 23 —S——OCH₃ —OCH₃ —H 24 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 25 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 26—N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 27 —N(CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H 28 —N(CH₂(CH₂)₄NH₂)——H —OCH₃ —H 29 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ 4-Br 30 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂5-Br

or a tautomer thereof.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the diseaseis selected from inflammatory conditions, autoimmune conditions, andcancer.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the disease is selected frombreast cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, neurofibrodomas, ornon-small cell lung cancer.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein thedisease is selected from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout,psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, diabetes, Sjogren'ssyndrome, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the inflammatory bowel disease is Crohn'sdisease or ulcerative colitis.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein thedisease is malaria.
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. (canceled)
 37. Akit comprising the compound of claim 18, or tautomer or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and instructions for treatinga disease modulated by transforming growth factor β activated kinase 1(TAK1).
 38. A kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition of claim 25,and instructions for treating a disease modulated by transforming growthfactor β activated kinase 1 (TAK1).
 39. The compound of claim 18, or atautomer or salt thereof, wherein R₁ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ carbonyl, orC₁₋₄ carboxyl; wherein if X is NR₁, R₁ is not propyl when R₃ is NH₂. 40.The compound of claim 39, or a tautomer or salt thereof, selected fromthe group consisting of: Compound X R₂ R₃ R₄ 2 —N(H)— —H —NH₂ —H 3—N(CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 4 —N(CH₂CH═CHCH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 5 —N(CH₂CH(CH₃)₂)— —H—NH₂ —H 6 —N(CH₂CH₂OH)— —H —NH₂ —H 7 —N(CH₂CO₂CH₃)— —H —NH₂ —H 8—N(CH₂C(O)Ph)- —H —NH₂ —H 9 —N(CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 10—N(CH₂CONH₂)— —H —NH₂ —H 11 —S— —H —NH₂ —H 12 —S— —OCH₃ —NH₂ —H 13 —S——Br —NH₂ —H 14 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OH —H 15 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —OCH₃ —H 16—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —H 17 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₂CH₃ —H 18—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —CH₃ 19 —N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —OCH₃ 20—N(CH₂CH₂CH₃)— —H —NHCH₃ —Cl 21 —S— —H —OH —H 22 —S— —Br —OH —H 23 —S——OCH₃ —OCH₃ —H